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HISTOKV
Original Town of Concord,
BEING THE PRESENT TOWNS OF
CONCORD, COLLINS, N. COLLINS AND
SARDINIA,
Erie Couni^v, new. York,
BY ERASMUS BRIGGS.
ROCHESTER, N. Y.:
UNION AXI) ADVERTISER COMPANY'S PRINT.
1883.
50422
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1S83.
BY ERASMUS BRIGGS,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
</>;
INDEX,
Chapter I. pa(;e.
From 1534 to 1(355.
Cartier's and Champlain's Expe-
dions 3
Chapter II.
From 1655 to 1679— Indians,
Dutch, French, &c 9
Chapter III.
DeNonville-La Houton— Queen
Anne — the Iroquois, &c 13
Chapter IV.
Pontiac' League — tlie Senecas —
the Devil's Hole, &c 17
Chapter V.
The Revolution — the Indians'
Ho?tiUty — Wyoming— Clierry
Valley. &c 20
Chapter VI
The Treaty of Fort Stanwix and
subsequent Treaties 24
Chapter VII.
Land Titles — Various Grants —
Conflicting Claims — Robert
Morris 29
Chapter VIII.
A curious fact — the First Crop
raised on the Holland Pur-
(;hase . 32
Chapter IX.
Agents of Holland C'ompany.
Theophilus Cazenova & Paul
Bustle 48
Joseph Ellicott 49
Jacob S. Otto, David E Evans. 51
A sketcli of others.
Robert Morris 52
Mary Jemison, the White Wo-
man 57
Chapter X. pa«e.
War of 1812-15 60
Chapter XI.
Campaign of 1813 66
Chapter XII.
Burning of Buffalo, &c 74
Chapter XIII.
Campaign of 1814 81
Discipline at Butf alo— the Death
Penalty 82
Capture of Fort Erie by the
Americans 83
An Indian Battle 84
The Battle of Chippewa 87
Battle of Conjockety Creek. ... 91
Battle of Fort Erie 92
Sortie at Fort Erie 95
News of Peace 98
Chapter XIV.
Early Settlers 100
Early Organization of County
and Towns 102
Date of Settlement and Organi-
zation of Towns in Erie Co. . . 104
Old Town of Concord 105
Coming to the country 106
Log Houses — Dutch Cliimneys
and Log-raising "106
Clearing Land 109
Sugar Making 113
Pioneer Wells 116
Pioneer Fencing 118
Frame Barns 120
Primitive Household Furnitm-e,
&c , &c 121
Carding, Spinning and Weaving 124
Raising, Dressing and Spinning
Flax 127
Bull Plow and Crotch Drag 128
Milling 129
Manufacturing of Clothing,
Boots and Shoes I3i
Making Black Salt . . . v 132
Husking Bees, &c . .'. .-',. . . ... . . 134
Schools •••,■>.. 136
'•■_
INDEX.
PAGE.
Spelling Schools 139
Reaping with a Sickle, &c 143
Militia Training .-. 144
Wrestling 146
Snow Shoes 146
Dancing 147
The Great AVolf Hunt 148
Droves and Drovers 150
The Lost Boy lol
Pigeons l^^
Thanksgiving 153
Chapter XV.
History of Concord 156
Names of persons previous to
Jan. 1. 1815 158
Names of persons Buying Land
of the Holland Company,
Township 6, Range 6 159
Township 7. Range 6 . 160
Township 6, Range 7 163
Township 7. Range 7 : . . . . 165
Copy of an Original Article of
Land 168
Copy of the First Deed in Con-
cord 172
Early Roads 173
Springville & Sardinia Railroad 175
Rochester & Pittsburgh Railro'd 175
Names of one or more of the
First Settlers on each Lot in
Concord 176
Hotels — Mills — Manufactories . 17S
Professional Men — Merchants —
Tradei-s and Mechanics 185
Banks 192
Manufacturers — Merchants and
Tradesmen 193
" Fiddler's Green' 196
Mail Routes— Post Offices 197
Commission of the First Post
Master in Springville 199
A list of the Owners of Farming
Lands in the Town of Con-
cord in 1845 200
Concord Soldiers' Record 205
Presbyterian Church 209
Metliodist Episcopal Church of
Springville 213
First Baptist Church of Spring-
ville 214
Free Baptist Church of Spring-
ville 216
Roman Catholic C h u r c h o f
Springville 217
Universalist Church 218
Free Baptist Church, East C!on-
cord 218
Free Baptist Church, West Con-
cord 219
PAGE.
Methodist Episcopal Church,
West Concord 219
Springville Academy 220
Semi-Centennial Celebration of
the Opening of Springville
Academy 223
Teachers' institutes 230
List of Accidental Deaths in the
Town of Concord 235
Names of Streams in Concord. . 237
The First Liberty-Pole 238
The Springville Mill 239
Local Names in Concord 240
The Springville Rifle Company 241
Town Officers of Concord 242
Town Accounts, 1830 245
Names of Early Settlers 246
Soldiers of Concord in 1812. . . . 247
Vosburg Murder 247
Otis Murder 248
The Old Springville Hotel 248
Panther Stories 250
Bear Story 251
Lands Deeded in Concord 252
Societies 265
Newspapers 267
Chapter XVI.
Family Histories of the Town of
Concord in Alphabetical Or-
der
A, 269 : B. 277 ; C, 303 ; D, 341 ;
E. 348 ; F, 353 : G, 369 ; H.
376 : I, 386 : J, 387 ; K, 391 :
L. 399 : M, 404 ; N. 417 : O.
422 ; P. 423 ; Q, 435 : R, 436 ;
S, 450 : T. 487 ; Urich, 502 ;
V, 502 ; W, 509 : Z, 532.
Eliza Reynolds
Springville
Chester Spencer
C. C McClure
Goddard Family
Christopher Stone's House
269
533
541
534
535
536
542
Chapter XVII.
History of C^ollins 543
First Settlers 544
Articles 545
Assessment Roll, 1823 553
Act Creating the Town 559
Defining Boundaries 560
Zoar 563
Deeds 569
List of Town Officers 577
Schools 583
Religious Meetings and Church
Organizations 584
••East District." Town of Col-
lins Center 585
INDEX.
PAGE.
Collins Center 585
Physicians 586
C'oilins C'enter Merchants 586
Tanneries 587
Mills 587
'• Society of Friends" 588
Soldiers' Record 589
Settlers of 60 and 70 years ago. . 593
Town Account. 1830 593
Societies 594
John Millis and his grist 595
Wild Animals 596
Business Directory of Collins
Center for 1882 596
Cowanda Directoiy for 1882... 597
Mrs. CJiarlotte Seymour's letter 598
Statement of S. W. Soule 600
Mrs. Stoddard's Statement 604
Statement of Joseph Plumb, Esq 617
Statement of S. Carv Adams . . . 624
Statement of David Wilber 696
Letter of Wm H. Parkinson. . . 675
Augustus Smith's Statement. . . 683
Statement of Benj. Albee. 2d. . 637
Blackney Murder 641
Chapter XVIII.
Family Histories, Collins 635
A, 635^ B. 639 ; C. 647 : F. 655 ;
G, 656 ; H, 657 ; J, 661 ; K,
663 ; L. 666 : M, 668 : N, 674 ;
O. 674 : P, 675 ; R, 682 ; S, 683 :
T, 691; V, 695; W, 696
Chapter XIX.
North Collins 707
Names of those who Purchased
Lands of the Holland Com-
pany 708
Deeds 714
First Settlers on each Lot 725
Assessment Roll of 1823 734
List of Town Officers ; . 728
Societies 731
Soldiers' Record 733
First Congregational Chui-ch . . . 737
Job Southwoi-th's Statement. . . 738
Statement of Isaac Hale 740
Statement of Noel Conger 743
'Statement of Isaac Woodward . 745
ClIAPTKR XX.
Family Histories, North Collins 749
B, 749 ; C, 750 ; D, 753 : F, 752 ;
G. 753 : H, 754 ; J, 755 : K.
756 ; L, 757 , P, 759 ; R. 761 :
S, 762 ; V, 766 ; W, 766
Chapter XXI.
General Historj^ of Sardinia. . . 769
Early Settlers 770
PAGE.
Articled Land 771
Deed of the Holland Comi)any. 776
Early Reminiscences — Nott. . . . 784
Fourth of July Party, 181 1 789
Soldiers" Record 794
First Baptist Church 797
Beneficiary Orders 798
Town Ofticers 798
Assessment Roll, 1843 813
Reminiscences by Dr. B. H. Col-
RToye 823
Statement of A. W. Shedd 839
Statement of L. D. Smith 832
Statement of Cyrus Rice 835
Business Places. &c 845
Notes from the Old Town Book
of 1821, &c 848
Chapter XXII.
Family Histories in Alphabet-
ical Order — Illustrations 851
A, 851 ; B. 854 : C. 857 : F. 860 :
G, 861 : H, 862 ; J, 868 : L,
868 : M, 870 : N, 871 ; O, 873 ;
P. 873 ; R, 875 : S, 878 ; T.
885 ; V. 885 ; Sterling Titus,
886; W, 886
OUTSIDERS.
Adams, J. C 892
Brooks, John 893
Brooks. Andrew J 894
Briggs, A. H , M. D 894
Briggs, George W 895
Foster, Harrison T 895
Field, William 897
Field. ]\Iarvin 898
Drake, Allen 898
Hammond, Wm. W 899
Hastings. Chancey J 900
Hastings, Sej'mour P 901
Koch, Harry H 901
Miller. Frederick 903
Nott. S. E. L. H 903
Nichols, George W 904
Wilev. William 904
Wiley, John M 905
Jliller, Christian 905
Oatman, David 906
Williams, George 907
Stowell, ( "harles 908
Ewell, Joseph E 908
Tanner, Aukxs B 1)09
Per.sons, Daniel H 910
Emery, Joseph, (,'ol 910
Scott.' Justus. 91 1
Smither, R. R 913
Spencer, H. S 912
Tanner, Alonzo, Esq 913
Wil)ert Family 913
INDEX.
PAGE.
Cutler, Caleb 915
Ransom. Asa 915
Ransom, Asa. Jr. ... : 916
Ransom, Harry B 917
Titus, James B 917
Kent, Joseph 919
Kent, Jonathan 919
Cooper, Joseph 920
Young, Charles E 930
Lockwood, Ebenezer 921
Stickney, David, Jr 922
White, Aimer 928
Tucker, Harvey J 924
Lockwood, A. U 925
Preston, A. G 926
Lawson, W. W 927
Bartholomew, A 928
Sampson, Joseph P 929
PAGE.
Bensley, John R 930
Bensley, George E 931
Haight, Albert 982
Coit, George 935
Humphrey, Arthur 935
Humphrey, J. M 936
Lockwood, D. N 937
Green, O J. & Sons 938
Reading, Richard 939
Canbee, Joseph 940
Kerr. Patterson 941
Scoby. M C 941
Bartlett, Marcus 542
Calkins, AC 544
Coit, Chas. T 944
Coit, Frank S 945
Eustaphive. HA 945
Masonic 947
ERRATA.
Page 105, read " Lawton " for Lanton.
Page 106, read " Big Tree " for Fitr Tree.
Page 126, read " Scarn " for Scam.
Page 131, 9th line, read " difticuU '" for different.
Page 152, read " Morton's Corners" for Morton's Creek.
Page 174, line 38, read " at lot 32 " for at lot 52.
Page 180, read '" Theodore Frew " for Theodore Trevv.
Page 188, read " Perigo " for Brigo.
Page 189, read " Shoutz " for Shontz ; same page, read " Barnhart " for Ramhart ; same
page, read " Post " for Past.
Page 190, read " Parmeter " for Bameter.
Page 192, read " F. K. Davis " for T. K. Davis.
Page 195, read " Frew " for Trew.
Page 208, read " 1862 " for 1892.
Page 218, read " Morris Hall " for Horris Hall.
Page 275, read " Auwater " for Anwater.
Page 253, 3d line from bottom, read " 1819 " instead of 1809.
Page 293, read " 1869" for 1899.
Page 294, read " 1880 " for 1810 ; same page, read " 1882 " for 1822.
Page 332, read " 1839 " for 1849. •
Page 338, read " 1877" for 1878.
Page 359, read the name " Benjamin Fay " for Benjamin Frye.
Page 360, read the name " Nemiah Fay '" for Nemiah Frj-e.
Page 369, line 16, read " Ruth Briggs" for Bertha Briggs.
Page 391, read " Benjamin Gardner" for Benjamin Gordon.
Page 305, read " Otis Morton " for Otis Horton.
Page 400, read " Mary Hufstader " for John Hufstader.
Page 433, read " 1832 " for 1882.
Page 452, read"' William T., " for William G., and "' W. T. Lincoln " for William F.
Page 468. read " Orrin Baker " for Owen Baker.
Page 484, line 20, read " Council Bluffs " for Dakota.
Page 476, read '" Marcy " for Mercy.
Page 478, line 6th, read " 1761 " for 1861.
Page 496, 2d line, leave out "Boston"; same page, read 4th line from bottom p;»ge
■' near" for new.
Page 498, 2d line from top, read "1792 " for 1702.
Page 519, in the account of Levi and Isaac Woodward, read "• married " for the capital M.
Page 566, i2th line, read "her family" for his family.
Page 618, read " Parthenia" for Perthenia.
Page 623, read " Parthenia " for Pathenia.
Page 632, last line, read " Methodist Preacher " for teacher
Page 659, 12th line, read " born 1831 " for 1871.
Page 672, line 14, read " 1850 " for 1859.
Page 743, read " Noel Conger " for Noah Conger; page following 770, read " 77I " for
781 ; page following 872, read " 873 " for 783.
Page 827. read " Reuben B. Heacock " for Reuben B. Hancock.
Page 861, ^4th line, " TuUer " for I'uller.
Page 889, " Brewer " for Brower.
Page 894, " John Jr., 2d " for John Jr.. Son.
INTRODUCTION,
" Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield
Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe has broke,
How jocund did they drive their team a-field,
How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke.
Let not ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys and destiny obscure."
The motives that prompted the author to attempt the com-
pilation of a work of this nature were, that bein^ himself to
the " manor born," and having enjoyed an intimate personal
acquaintance with many of the early settlers of these towns,
and knowing that very little had ever been said of them in any
history that had been heretofore published, he felt that all
former attempts of the historian to portray the.se early tijnes
and scenes were lacking in detail and did not accord to the
brave pioneers of these towns the mead of pra'ise that their
self-sacrificing labors and privations entitle them to, and he
departs from the rule generally pursued by writers, of record-
ing only the acts of those whom fortune or favor has raised to
positions of prominence, and he feels that the lives and deeds
of the pioneer, though their destiny may have been obscure,
are worthy of being remembered and perpetuated upon the
pages of history; for the pioneer, like the great forests that
once surrounded his humble cabin, is passing awa)- ; onl)' here
and there you find them, and soon, very soon, there will not
one remain, and it is but a simple acti of justice to the living
and an honor that we owe to the dead, who now rest from their
toils on fields their hands helped to clear, that a record of their
lives should be put into some tangible form and the multitude
of facts in the possession of those who are yet with us be res-
cued from oblivion, for soon these witnesses will pass away, and
there will be none left to tell the story of the olden time.
X INTRODUCTION.
For this reason the author has undertaken the task of com-
piling a vohime, and he finds that there has been an ahiiost
endless amount of labor to collect and arrange facts and dates
to incidents that transpired so many years ago, and much of it
may appear commonplace and non-interesting to some, but the
author belives that the task he has undertaken is a laudable
one, and that the few pioneers now remaining and their de-
scendants for generations to come, will be interested in the
work, and will properly appreciate the undertaking.
To the many who have aided him in this undertaking and
were induced to, at his earnest request, he is under many obliga-
tions, and though their names may appear elsewhere, in con-
nection with articles contributed, still he takes pleasure in ren-
dering a personal acknowledgment here : J. H. Plumb, Esq., of
Westfield, Mrs. Stoddard of Iowa, S Gary Adams, Esq. of
Buffalo, S. W. Soule, William H. Parkinson of Collins, Mrs. Sey-
mour of Chautauqua, L. B. Cochran, Esq., Hon. C. C. Sever-
ance, W. G. Ramson, Dr. G. G. Stanbro of Concord and L. D.
Smith and Cyrus Rice of Sardinia, have placed him under a debt
of gratitude. Of those who rendered valuable aid in soliciting
subscriptions and encouraging him in his undertaking, he will
ever remember the names of James Hopkins, Addison Whee-
lock, Cyrus Rice, Welcome Andrews, Alden J. McArthur and
many others. Christfield Johnson, Esq., author of the Centen-
nial History of Erie county, courteously allowed him the free
use of his book, and the first one hundred pages of this work
are taken from his book, and Turner's History of the Holland
Purchase. Nearly the whole of the remaining pages are original.
The amount of matter in this volume in relation to the family
histories of each of these respective towns will be accounted for
by the number of subscriptions that the author has received in
said towns to aid in the publication of this work. Of course a
work of this nature, containing the amount of matter that this
one does, must necessarily be expensive, and every page added
must necessarily also increase the expense to be borne by the
author who has to depend for the funds to defray the cost most
entirely upon local patronage, and most certainly he cannot do
as his inclinations would otherwise naturally lead him, if he
were not confined to limited means, and in the present under-
INTRODUCTION. xi
taking he wcnild feci himself am[jl\- rewarded if lie were to re-
ceive the bare expense of preparing and publishing this work.
But he is well aware nozo that the expense will far exceed all
such hopes, and the author regrets too that there is a single
thing omitted that will detract from the general interest of this
volume, and yet he knows that there are names of those who
were early identified with the settlement of these towns, whose
histories would have been of interest and were worth)- of being
preserved, that are now lacking, which can only be accounted
for by the indifference of those who should have taken some
interest in a work of this nature.
Following appears the number of subscribers of each town,
together with those who are not residents :
Concord 260
Collins 125
North Collins 35
Sardinia 65
Buffalo and others localities ■ 80
E. B.
"^%i^»"^^
^\^^ /,
?>f''*
^
E. BRIGGS.
Autobioijraphy of the Author.
The author of this work was born on the ^ist thi)- of August,
i8i8, on Townsend Hill, in the town of (Joncord, where he
remained with his parents until after he was seventeen years of
age. As soon as old enough, he was put to work to assist in
clearing up a heavily-timbered farm ; and the scenes and inci-
dents appertaining to pioneer life jjortrayed in the several
articles in chapter xiv. of this work are from his own knowl-
edge and experience.
His education was principally obtained in the district school,
on Townsend Hill, supplemented by a few terms at select
school and Springville Academy. •
The Winter after he was eighteen years of age, he taught a
term of school, and the Spring following, he took Greeley's
advice and went west. This was before the advent of railroads,
and was quite an undertaking. The journey across the State
of Michigan, and from Chicago to Racine, from Racine to
Janesville, from Janesville to Galena, and from Galena to Ful-
ton, a total distance of over six hundred miles, was made on
foot. At that time, the prairies of Northern Illinois and
Southern Wisconsin were unoccupied; the onl\- settlers to be
found were located in or near the timber. Chicago at that
time was a small town, whose buildings and improvements
were confined to a narrow belt of dry land along the lake-shore
and river-bank ; the ground back being low and covered with
prairie-grass and water. Racine was a straggling little hamlet,
and the city of Janesville was yet in embryo, its site being
occupied by two or three small log farm-houses. He remem-
bers stopping there a few days, and planting corn on the land
where the city now stands. Beloit was named, but Freeport
was unknown, and Galena was a very small village. The jour-
ney for the last two days was made on a single meal. Fulton
was surveyed and named, but contained but one log-house.
He remained in Fulton two and a half years, putting up build-
ings in the Summer, and getting out timber and cutting steam-
boat wood in the Winter. He built the first frame-house in
Fulton, and continued to work at the business until prostrated
by sickness.
When sufficiently recovered to travel, he returned to his
native town, where for the next eleven years his time was
divided between working at the carpenters' trade Summers,
teaching school Winters, and attending to the duties of the
office of Superintendent of Common Schools.
In 1850, he went to the town of West Seneca, and invested
in timbered land, which had formerly been a part of the Indian
reservation. For the next fifteen years, this town and the ad-
joining town of Elma was his home. During these }'-ears, he
was quite extensively engaged in the wood, bark and lumber
business. In 1852, while a resident of West Seneca, he was
elected Justice of the Peace, and also town Superintendent of
Common Schools. He was also chosen to represent them on the
Board of Supervisors, in 1853-54-55. He afterward held the
office of Justice of the Peace in the town of Elma. Since his re-
turn to Concord, in 1865, he has worked at building several Sum-
mers, and taught school occasionally Winters. For the last
five years, his time has been principally spent in procuring
facts and preparing this work. Since his return to Concord, he
has been several times elected Supervisor, although the party
with which he affiliates is in the minority ; and it is a source of
gratification to know^ that wherever he has resided, he has,
enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-townsmen.
HISTORY
OF THE
ORIGINAL TOWN OF CONCORD.
CHAPTER I.
FROM 1534 TO 1655.
George Cartier's Expedition — Champlain's Expedition — King James' Grant —
Henry Hudson — French Traders — The Jesuits— Chaumonot and Bre-
boeuf — Hunting Buffalo — Destruction of the Kahquahs and Eries —
Seneca Tradition — French Account — Their Sysiem of Clans —Its Import-
ance— Sachems and War-Chiefs — Method of Descent — Choice of
Sachems — Family Relations.
In the year 1534, forty-two years after the discovery of
America, George Cartier, a French explorer sailed up the St.
Lawrence to Montreal and took possession of all the country
round about on behalf of the King of France, Francis the P'irst,
and called it New France.
He made some attempts to colonize, but in 1543 they were
all abandoned, and for more than half a century no further
progress was made.
In 1603, the celebrated French mariner, Samuel Champlain,
led an expedition to Quebec and made a permanent settlement
there, and, in fact, founded the Colony of Canada. Montreal
was founded soon after, and communication was comparatively
easy along the course of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario,
and, with a portage around the Falls, to Lake Erie. And
4 KING JAMES GRANT.
mainly for this reason, the French fur traders and missionaries
reached this region of country long before any other Europeans.
In 1606, King James, of England, granted to an association
of Englishmen called the Plymouth company, the territory of
New England, but no permanent settlement was made until the
9th day of November, 1620, when, from the historic Ma}'flower,
the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock.
In 1628, Charles the F"irst, of England, granted a charter for
the government of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. It
included the territory between latitude 40° 2' and 44° 15' north,
extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, making a colony a
hundred and fifty-four miles wide and four thousand miles long.
The County of Erie and Western New York were included
within its limits.
In 1609, the English navigator, Henry Hudson, while in the
employ of Holland, discovered the river that bears his name,
and the Hollanders established fortified trading posts on Man-
hattan island and at Alban)% and commenced trading with the
Indians. They also made an indefinite claim of territory west-
ward.
All European nations at that time claimed title to lands in
America by the right of discovery, and they granted them away
to individuals and companies in small and large tracts, as they
saw fit, when, as a matter of right and justice, their title was no
better than was the title of that character we read of, to all the
kingdoms of the world, which he offered to give Christ if he
would fall down and worship him.
In 1623, permanent Dutch emigration for agricultural pur-
poses first began upon the Hudson river.
In 1625, a few Catholic missionaries arrived on the banks of
the St. Lawrence.
About 1620, the first white men visited the country about the
lower end of Lake Erie and the Niagara river ; the}' were French
fur traders in search of furs.
In 1626, Father De La Roche Daillon, a French missionary,
visited the Neuter Nation and passed the winter preaching the
gospel among them. The Neuter Nation occupied the countiy
about the east end of Lake Erie and on both sides of the
Niagara River. They had their villages in Canada and in Erie
riiK jKsri r missk ixariks. 5
count)'; there was one at or near the mouth of I'LiL(hteen-Mile
creek, and perhaps others further west. Hut the south shore of
Lake Erie was occupied principally by a tribe called the Eries.
The French called the. tribe occupying the countrx- hereabouts
the Neuter Nation, because they dwelt in peace with surround-
ing tribes, but they were kno\\n among the other tribes as the
Kahquahs.
The Jesuit missionaries, fired with unbounded zeal and unsur-
passed valor, traversed the wilderness, holding up the cross
before the bewildered pagans. They soon had flourishing sta-
tions as far west as Lake Huron. One of these stations was St.
Marie, near the eastern extremity of the lake, and it was from
St. Marie that Fathers Breboeuf and Chaumonot set forth in
November, 1640, to visit the Neuter Nation. They returned in
the Spring, having visited eighteen Kahquah villages, but hav-
ing met with very little encouragement among them. They
reported the Neuter Lidians to be stronger and finer looking
than the Hurons, and that their food and clothing were but little
different ; that the}' had corn, beans and some other vegetables,
and plenty of fish ; that they were much employed in hunting
deer, bears, buffalo, beavers, wolves, wild-cats and other animals;
that there was also an abundance of wild turkeys. They esti-
mated the whole number of villages of the Neuter Nation at
forty, and that the most eastern was but one day's journe}' from
the country of the Senecas. The Senecas, when first \isited by
the whites, had their villages east of the Genesee river.
Up to this time, the Kahquahs had succeeded in maintaining
their neutrality between the fierce belligerents on either side.
What the cause of quarrel, if any, arose between the peaceful
possessors of Erie county and the powerful confederates to the
eastward, is entirely unknown ; but sometime during the next
fifteen years, the Iroquois fell upon both the Kahquahs and the
Eries and exterminated them, as nations, from the face of the
earth.
The precise years in which these e\ents occurred are uncer-
tain, and it is not known whether the Kahquahs or the Eries
were first destroyed. French accounts go to show that the
Neuter Nation were first destroyed ; while, according to Seneca
tradition, the Kahquahs still dwelt here when the Iroquois
6 THE IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY.
annihilated the Eries; but it is certain that, somewhere between
1643 and 1655, the fierce confederates of Central New York
"put out the fires" of both the Kahquahs and the Eries.
From the destruction of the Kahquahs down to the time the
Iroquois sold to the Holland Land company (or, rather, to
Robert Morris), they were, by right of conquest, the actual
possessors of the territory composing the present County of
Erie, and, a few years before the sale, the largest nation of the
confederacy made their principal residence within the county.
Within its borders, too, are still to be seen the largest united
body of their descendants. For two hundred and thirty years,
the Iroquois have been closely identified with the history of
Erie county, and it is proper to give a short account of the
interior structure of that remarkable confederacy.
The name Iroquois was never applied by the confederates to
themselves ; it was first used by the French. The men of the
five nations called themselves He-do-no-saunee, which means
literally " They form a cabin," describing in this expressive
manner the close union existing between them. The Indian
name just quoted is more liberally and more commonly ren-
dered "The People of the Long House," which is more fully
descriptive of the confederacy.
The feature that distinguished the people of the Long House
from all the world beside, and which, at the same time, bound
together all these ferocious warriors as with a living chain was
the system oi c/ans extending through all the different tribes.
Many readers doubtless have often heard of the warlike suc-
cess and outward greatness of the Iroquois confederacy, but one
unacquainted with the inner league, which was its distinguish-
ing characteristic, and without which in all probability have met
at an early day with the fate of numerous similar alliances.
The people of the Iroquois confederacy were divided into
eight c/aHS, or families, the names of which were as follows:
Wolf, Bear, Beaver, Turtle, Deer, Snipe, Heron and Hawk.
Each clan formed a large artificial family modeled on the
natural family. All the members of the clan, no matter how
widely separated among the tribes were considered as brothers
and sisters to each other, and forbidden to intermarry. This
prohibition was strictly enforced b}' public opinion.
SAC'IIKMS AND \VAR-{ 1 1 1 KKS. J
The clan.bciiii^ thus tauL;lU from earliest infanc)' that tliey
belonged to the same famil\-, a bond of the strongest kind was
created throughout the confederac)-. Hie Oneida of the Wolf
clan had no sooner appeared among the Cayugas than those of
the same clan claimed iiim as their special guest, and admitted
him to the most confidential intimac}'. The Seneca of the
Turtle clan might wander to the country of the Mohawks at the
further extremity of the Long House, and he had a claim upon
his brother Turtles which they would not dream of repudiating.
Thus the whole confederacy was linked together. If at any
time there appeared a tendency toward conflict between the
different tribes, it was instantly checked by the thought that
if persisted in the hand of the Heron would be turned against
Heron, and the hatchet of the Bear would be raised against
his brother Bear, and the bow of the Beaver would be drawn
against his brother Beaver. And so potent was the feeling
that until the power of the confederacy was broken by over-
whelming outside force, there was no serious dissension between
the tribes of the Iroquois. Aside from the clan-system just
described, which was an artificial invention expressly invented
to prevent dissension among the confederates, the Iroquois
league had some resemblance to the great American Union
which succeeded it. The central authority was supreme on
questions of peace and war, and on all others relating to the
general welfare of the confederacy, while the tribes, like the
states, reserved to themselves the management of their ordin-
ary affairs. In peace, all power was confided to " Sachems,"
in war, to " Chiefs." The Sachems of each tribe acted as its
rulers in matters which required the exercise of civil authority.
The same rulers also met in congress to direct the affairs of the
confederacy. There was, in each tribe, the same number of
War-chiefs as Sachems, and these had absolute authority in
time of war. But in a war-party the War-chiefs commanded
and the Sachem took his place in the ranks.
The congress always met at the council-fire of the Onon-
dagas. The Senecas were unquestionably the most powerful
of all the tribes, and as the\' were located at the western
extremity of the confederac}-, they had to bear the brunt of
war when it was assailed by its most formidable foes, who dwelt
8 P'AMILV RELATIONS.
in that quarter. It would naturally follow that the principal
War-chief of the league should be of the Seneca Nation, and
such is said to have been the case.
As among many other savage tribes the right of heirship was
in the female line. Titles, as far as they were hereditary at all,
followed the same law of descent. The child also followed
the clan and tribe of the mother. Notwithstanding the modi-
fied system of hereditary power in vogue, the constitution of
every tribe was essentially republican. Warriors, old men, and
even women, attended the council and made their influence
felt. Neither in the government of the confederacy nor in the
tribes, was there any such thing as tyranny over the people.
ENGLAND CONQUERS NEW AMSTERDAM. 9
CHAPTER II.
FROM 1655 TO 1679.
The Iroquois Triumphant— Obliteration of Dutch Power — French Progress —
La Salle Visits the Senecas — Greenhalph's Estimates — La Salle on the
Niagara — Building of the Griffin — It Enters Lake Erie — La Salle's Subse-
quent Career — The Prospect in 1679.
From the time of the destruction of the Kahquahs and
Eries, the Iroquois went forth conquering and to conquer.
This was probably the day of their greatest glory. They
stayed the progress of the French into their territories; they
negotiated on equal terms \\ith the Dutch and English, and
having supplied themselves with the terrible arms of the pale-
faces, they smote with direst vengeance whomsoever of their
own race were unfortunate enough to provoke their wrath.
At one period, the sound of their war cry was heard along
the Straits of St. Marys and at the foot of Lake Superior. At
another, under the walls of Quebec, where they defeated the
Hurons under the eyes of the French. They spread the terror
of their arms over New England — Smith encountered their
warriors in the settlement of Virginia, and La Salle on the
discovery of Illinois. They bore their conquering arms along
the Susquehanna, the Allegheny and the Ohio, and farther
south. In short, they triumphed on every side, save only
where the white men came, and even the white man was for a
time held at bay by their fierce confederates.
In 1664 the English conquered New Amsterdam, and in
1670 their conquest was made permanent.
Charles the Second, then King of England, granted the
conquered province to his brother James, Duke of York, from
whom it was called New York. This grant comprised all the
lands along the Hudson, with an indefinite amount westward,
thus overlapping the previous grant of James the First, to the
Plymouth company, and the boundaries of Massachusetts by
the charter of Charles the First, and laying the foundation for
a conflict of jurisdiction, which was afterward to have import-
ant effects on the destinies of Western New York.
lO LA SALLE S ARRIVAL.
By 1665, trading posts had been established by the French at
Mackinaw, Green Bay, Chicago and St. Joseph. In 1669 La
Salle, whose name was soon to be indissolubly united to the
annals of Erie county, visited the Senecas with only two com-
panions, finding their four principal villages from ten to twenty
miles southerly from Rochester, scattered over portions of the
present Counties of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario.
In 1673, the Missionaries Marquette and Joliet, pushed on
beyond the farthest French post and erected the emblems of
Christianity on the shore of the Father of Waters.
In 1677, Wentworth Greenhalph, an Englishman, visited all
the F'ive Nations, finding the same four towns of the Senecas
described by the companions of La Salle. Greenhalph made
very minute observations counting the houses of the Indians
and reported the Mohawk as having three hundred warriors,
the Oneidas two hundred, the Onondagas three hundred and
fifty, the Cayugas three hundred and the Senecas a thousand.
It will be seen that the Senecas, the Guardians of the western
door of the Long House, numbered, according to Greenhalph's
computation, nearly as many as all of the other tribes of the
confederacy combined, and other accounts show that he was not
far from correct.
In the month of January, 1679, a Frenchman of good
family, Robert Cavalier de La Salle, arrived at the mouth of
Niagara. He was one of the most gallant, devoted and ad-
venturous of all the bold explorers, who under many different
banners, opened the new world to the knowledge of the old.
In 1678 he had received from King Louis a commission to
discover the western part of New France. He made some
preparations the same year and in the Fall sent the Seuer de
La Motte and Father Hennepin (the priest and historian of
the expedition) in advance to the mouth of the Niagara. As
soon as La Salle arrived he went two leagues above the Falls,
built a rude dock at the mouth of Cayuga Creek, in Niagara
county and laid the keel of a vessel with which to navigate the
Lakes. Hennepin distinctly mentions a small village of Sene-
cas at the mouth of the Niagara, and it is plain from his whole
narrative that the Iroquois were in possession of the country
along the ri\er.
THE FIRST VESSEL IS BUILT. II
The work was carried on throu<;h the Winter, and in the
Sprin^^ the vessel was launched. It was a small vessel of sixty
tons burthen, completely furnished with anchors, and other
equipments, and armed with seven small cannon, all of which
had been transported by hand around the cataract. The vessel
was named the "Grififin," and there were thirt)--four men on
board, all Frenchmen with a single exception.
For several months the Griffin remained in the Niagara,
between the place where it was built and the rapids at the head
of the river. When all was ready, the attempt was made and
several times repeated, to ascend' the rapids above Black Rock.
At length on the 7th day of August, 1679, a favorable wind
sprung up from the Northeast; all the Griffin's sails were set,
and again it approached the rapids. A dozen stout sailors
were sent ashore , with a tow-line, and aided with all their
strength the breeze that blew from the North. Those efforts
were soon successful; by the aid of sails and tow-line, the
Griffin surmounted the rapids, and the pioneer vessel of these
waters swept out on to the bosom of Lake Erie. As it did so,
the priests led in singing a joyous Te Deum, and all the cannon
were fired in a grand salute. On board that vessel was the
intrepid La Salle, a man fitted to grace the salons of Paris,
yet now eagerly pressing forward to dare the hardships of
unknown seas and savage lands.
A born leader of men, a heroic subduer of nature, the gallant
Frenchman for a brief time passes along the border of our
county and then disappears in the far West, where he was
eventually to find a grave.
There w^as Tonti, the solitary alien, amid the Gallic band
exiled by revolution from his native Italy, who had been chosen
by La Salle as second in command, and who justified the choice
by his unswerving courage and devoted loyalty. There, too,
was Father Hennepin, the earliest historian of these regions, one
of the most zealous of all the zealous band of Catholic priests
who at that period undauntedly bore the cross amid the fiercest
pagans of America.
This was the beginning of the commerce of the upper lakes
and like many another first venture it resulted only in disaster
to its projectors, though the harbinger of unbounded success by
12 LA SALLE RETURNS TO FRANCE.
others. The (iriffin went to Green Bay where La Salle and
Hennepin left it, and started on its return with'a cargo of furs,
and was never heard of more. It is supposed that it sank in a
storm and all on board perished.
After the Grif^n had sailed. La Salle and Hennepin went in
canoes to the head of Lake Michigan. Then, after building a
trading post and waiting many weary months for the return of
his vessel, he went, with thirty followers, to Lake Peoria, on the
Illinois, where he built a fort and gave it the expressive name
of " Creve Cceur," Broken Heart. But notwithstanding this
expression of despair, his courage was far from exhausted, and
after sending Hennepin to explore the Mississippi, he, with three
comrades, performed the remarkable feat of returning to Fort
Frontenac on foot, depending on their guns for support.
From Fort Frontenac he returned to Creve Coeur, the garri-
son of which had in the meantime been driven away by the
Indians. Again the indomitable La Salle gathered his follow-
^ ers, and in the fore part of 1682 descended the Mississippi to
the sea, being the first European to explore any considerable
portion of that mighty stream. He took possession of the
country in the name of King Louis the Fourteenth, and called
it Louisiana.
Returning to France, he astonished and gratified the Court
with the story of his discoveries, and in 1684 was furnished with
a fleet and several hundred men to colonize the new domain.
Then everything went wrong ; the fleet, through the blunders
of its naval commander, went to Mattagorda bay, in Texas ; the
store ship was wrecked ; the fleet returned ; La Salle failed to
find the mouth of the Mississippi ; his colony dwindled away,
through desertion and death, to forty men, and at length he
started with sixteen of these on foot to return to Canada for
assistance. Ere he reached the Sabine he was murdered by two
of his followers and left unburied on the prairie. France knows
him as the man who added Louisiana to her empire ; the Mis-
sissippi valley reveres him as the first explorer of its great river,
but by the citizens of this county he will best be remembered
as the pioneer navigator of Lake Erie.
TIIK Kki:( ri(>\ ol" lOKT MACAkA. 13
CHAPTKR 111.
FRENCH DOMINION.
De Nonville's Assault — Origin of Fort Niagara — La Honlan's Expedition — The
Peace of Ryswyck — Queen Anne's War — The Iroquois Neutral — The
Tuscaroras — Joncaire — Fort Niagara Rebuilt — French Power Increas-
ing— Successive Wars — The Line of Posts— The Final Struggle — The
Expedition of D'Aubrey — The Result — The Surrender of Canada
For the next forty-five years after the adventures of La
Salle, the French voya<^eurs traded and the missionaries labored,
and their soldiers sometimes made incursions, but thev had no
permanent fortress this side of Fort Frontenac (Kingston,
Canada).
In 1687, the Marquis de Nonville, Governor of New France,
came with an army and attacked the Senecas at their village
near Avon and Victor, and after giving battle the Senecas fled.
De Nonville destroyed their stores of corn and retired to Lake
Ontario, and then sailed to the mouth of the Niagara, where he
erected a small fort on the east side of the river. This was the
origin of Fort Niagara, one of the most celebrated strongholds
in America, and which, though a while abandoned, was after-
wards for a long time considered the key of Western New York.
Detroit was founded by the French in 1701 ; other posts were
established far and wide.
About 17 12, an important event occurred in the histor}- of the
Iroquois.
The Five Nations become Six Nations. The Tuscaroras, a
powerful tribe of North Carolina, had become involved in a
w^ar with the whites, originating, as usual, in a dispute about
land. The colonists being aided by several other tribes, the
Tuscaroras were soon defeated, many of them killed, and many
others captured and sold as slaves. The greater part of the
remainder fled northward to the Iroquois, who immediately
adopted them as one of the tribes of the confederacy.
Not long after this, one Chabert Joncaire, a Frenchman, who
had been captured in \-outh by the Senecas, who had been
14 WAR BETWEEN ENGLAND AND FRANCE.
adopted into their tribe, and had married a Seneca wife, but
who had been released, was employed by the French authorities
to promote their interests among the Iroquois. Pleading his
claims as an adopted child of the nation, he was allowed by the
Seneca Chiefs to build a cabin on the site of Lewiston, which
soon became a center of French influence.
About 1725, the French began re-building Fort Niagara on
the site where De Nonville had erected his fortress ; this was
their stronghold for many years. To this, and forts that were
already built, they added Presque Isle (now Erie), Venango
(Franklin, Pa.), and Fort Du Quesne, on the site of Pittsburgh,
designing to establish a line of forts from the Lakes to the Ohio,
and thence down that river to the Mississippi.
Frequent detachments of troops passed through along this
line. Their course was up Niagara to Buffalo, thence either by
bateaux up the lake or on foot along the shore to Erie, and
thence to Venango and Du Quesne. Gaily-dressed French
officers went to and fro ; dark-gowned Jesuits traveled back and
forth receiving the respect of the red men even when their
creed was rejected.
In 1756, war was again declared between England and France,
being their last great struggle for supremacy in the New World.
More frequently sped the gay officers and soldiers of King
Louis from Quebec, and Frontenac, and Niagara — now in
bateaux, now on foot, along the western border of our county.
At first the French were everywhere victorious. Braddock,
almost at the gates of Fort Du Quesne, was slain, and his army
cut in pieces.
Montcalm captured Oswego. The French line up the lakes
and across to the Ohio was stronger than ever; but, in 1758,
William Pitt became Prime Minister, and then England flung
herself in dead earnest into the contest ; that year Fort Du
Quesne was captured by an English and provincial army. Fort
Frontenac was seized by Colonel Bradstreet. The cordon was
broken, but Fort Niagara still held out for F'rance. In 1759,
still heavier blows were struck. Wolfe assailed Quebec, the
strongest of all the French strongholds.
Almost at the same time General Prideaux, with two thous-
and British and Provincials, accompanied by Sir William Johnson
SIR WII.I.FAM JOHNSON" AND D'aI'HRKV. I5
with his faithful Iroquois, sailed up Lake Ontario and laid
siege to Fort Niagara. Defended by only six hundred men,
its capture was certain unless relief could be obtained. Its
commander was not idle. Once again along the Niagara and
up Lake Erie, and away through the forest, sped his lithe red-
skinned messenger, to summon the sons and the allies of
France. D'Aubrey at Venango heard the call and responded
with his most zealous endeavours. Gathering all the troops
he could from far and near, stripping bare with desperate
energy the little French forts at the west, and mustering every
red man he could persuade to follow his banner to set forth to
relieve Niagara.
Thus it was about the 20th of July, 1759, that the largest
European force which had yet been seen in this region at any
one time, came coasting down the lake from Presque Isle, past
the mouth of the Cattaraugus and along the shores of Brant and
Evens, and Hamburgh, to the foot of the lake. Fifty or sixty
batteaux bore near a thousand Frenchmen on their mission of
relief, while a long line of canoes were freighted with four
hundred of the dusky warriors of the west.
History has preserved but a slight record of this last struggle
of the French for dominion in these regions, but it has rescued
from oblivion the names of D'Aubrey, the commander, De
Lignery, his second, of Monsieur Marini, the leader of the
Indians, and of Captains De Villie, Pepentine, Martini and
Basonc.
The Seneca warriors, snuffing the battle from their homes
on the Genesee and beyond, were roaming restlessly through
Erie and Niagara counties and along the shores of the river,
uncertain how to act, more friendly to the French than the
English, and yet unwilling to engage in conflict with their
brethren of the Six Nations.
D'Aubrey led his flotilla past the site of Buffalo and past
Grand island and only halted on reaching the shores of Navy
island. After staying there a day or two, to communicate with
the fort, he passed over to the main land and marched forward
to battle. But Sir William Johnson, who had succeeded to
the command on the death of Prideaux, was not the kind of
man likely to meet with the fate of Braddock. Apprised of
1 6 THE FREN'CH DEFEATED.
the approach of the French, he retained men enough before
the fort to prevent an outbreak of the garrison, and stationed
the rest in an advantageous position on the east side of the
Niagara, just below the whirlpool. After a battle an hour
long the French were utterly routed, several hundred being
slain on the field, and a large part of the remainder being cap-
tured, including the wounded D'Aubrey.
On the receipt of this disastrous news, the garrison at once
surrendered. The control of the Niagara river, which had
been in the hands of the French for over a hundred years,
passed into those of the English. For a little while the
French held possession of the fort at Schlosser, and even
repulsed an English force sent against it. Becoming satisfied,
however, that they could not withstand their powerful foe,
they determined to destroy their two armed vessels laden with
military stores. They accordingly took them into an arm of
the river separating Buckhorn from Grand island, at the very
northwesternmost limit of Erie county, burned them to the
waters' edge and sunk the hulls.
Soon the life-bought victory of Wolfe gave Quebec to the
triumphant Britons. Still the French clung to their colonies
with desperate but failing grasp, and it was not till September,
1760, that the Marquis de Vaudreuil, the Governor-General of
Canada, surrendered Montreal, and with it Detroit, Venango,
and all the other within his jurisdiction. This surrender was
ratified by the treaty of peace between England and France
in February, 1 763, which ceded Canada to the former power
and thus ended the long- contest.
PONTIAC S CONSI'IRACV.
CHAPTER IV.
ENGLISH DOMINION.
Pontiac's League — The Seneca's Hostile — The Devil's Hole — Battle Near Buf-
falo— Treaty at Niagara — Bradstreet's Expedition — Israel Putnam — Lake
Commerce — Wreck of the Beaver — Tryon County.
The celebrated Indian Chief Pontiac, united several western
tribes against the British soon after their advent. In May,
1763, the league surprised nine out of twelve English forts and
massacred their garrisons. Detroit, Pittsburgh and Niagara
alone escaped surprise and each successfully resisted a siege.
There is no positive evidence, but there is little doubt that the
Senecas were involved in Pontiac's league and were active in
their attack on Niagara.
In the September following occurred the awful tragedy of
the Devil's Hole, when a band of Senecas, of whom Honaye-
wus, afterwards celebrated as Farmers Brothers, was one and
Cornplanter probably another, ambushed a train of English
army wagons, with an escort of soldiers, the whole numbering
ninety-six men, three and a half miles below the Falls, and
massacred every man except four.
A few weeks later, on the 19th of October, 1763, there
occurred the first hostile conflict in Erie county, of which
there is any record, in which white men took part. It occurred
probably at or near Black Rock. Si.x hundred British soldiers,
under one Major Wilkins, were on their way in boats to rein-
force their comrades in Detroit. A hundred and sixty of them,
who were a half mile astern of the others, were suddenly fired on
by a band of Senecas in a thicket on the shore. So close was
their aim that thirteen men were killed or wounded at the first
fire. Yihy soldiers landed and attacked the Indians. Three
more soldiers were killed and twelve badh- wounded. It does
not appear that the Indians suffered near as heavily as the
English.
In the Summer of 1764, General Bradstreet, with twelve hun-
dred British and Americans came bv water to Fort Niagara.
l8 INDIAN' COUNCIL AT FORT NIAGARA.
accompanied by the indefatigable Sir William Johnson. A grand
council of friendly Indians was held at the fort, among whom
Sir William exercised his customary skill, and satisfactory treaties
were made. But the Senecas held aloof, and were said to be
meditating a renewal of the war. At length General Bradstreet
ordered their immediate attendance, under penalty of the
destruction of their settlements. They came, ratified the treaty
and thenceforward adhered to it pretty faithfully, notwithstand-
ing the peremptory manner in which it was obtained. In the
meantime a fort had been erected on the site of Fort Erie, the
first ever built there.
In August, Bradstreet's army increased to nearly three thou-
sand men, came up the river and proceeded up the south side of
the lake, for the purpose of bringing the western Indians to
terms, a task which was successfully accomplished without blood-
shed. (The journey was made in open boats rigged with sails.)
Now there was peace for awhile. The British coming up the
Niagara usually landed at Fort Erie, where a post was all the
while maintained, and going thence in open boats to Detroit,
Mackinaw and other western forts.
The commerce of the upper lakes consisted of supplies for the
military posts, goods to trade with the Indians and furs received
in return. The trade was carried on mostly in open boats, pro-
pelled by oars, with the occasional aid of a temporary sail.
There were, however, at least two or three English trading ves-
sels on Lake Erie before the Revolution. One, called the
Beaver, is known to have been lost in a storm, and is believed
by the best authorities to have been wrecked near the mouth of
Eigteen-Mile creek, and to have furnished the relics found in
that vicinity b)' early settlers.
All the western part of the Colony of New York was nomin-
ally a part of Albany county up to 1772. In that year a new
county was formed embracing all that part of the colony west
of the Delaware river, and of a line running northeastward from
the head of that stream through the present Count}' of Scho-
harie, thence northward along the east line of Montgomer)',
Fulton and Hamilton counties, and continuing in a straight line
to Canada. It was named Tryon in honor of William Tr\'on,
then the Royal Governor of Ne\\' York. Guy Johnson, Sir
DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. I9
William's nephew and son-in-law, was the earliest " first Judge"
of the Common Pleas, with the afterward celebrated John But-
ler as one of his associates. Sir William Johnson, an able mili-
tary commander and Indian agent long in the employ of the
British government, died suddenly, at Johnstown, near the
Mohawk in 1774. Much of his influence over the Six Nations
descended to his son, Sir John Johnson, and his nephew. Col.
Guy Johnson. The latter became his successor in the ofifice of
Superintendent of Indian Affairs.
20 TREATY BETWEEN THE INDIANS AND HRITISH.
CHAPTER V.
THE REVOLUTION.
Four Iroquois Tribes Hostile — The Oswego Treaty — Scalps — Brant — Guien-
gwahtoh — Wyoming — Cherry Valley — Sullivan's Expedition — Senecas
Settle in Erie County — Gilbert Family — Pence.
In 1775, the Revolution began. Tlie new Superintendent
made good his influence over all of the Six Nations except the
Oneidas and Tuscaroras. John Butler established himself at
Fort Niagara and organized a- regiment of Tories, known as
Butler's Rangers, and he and the Johnsons used all their influ-
ence to induce the Indians to attack the Americans. The Sen-
ecas held aloof for a while, but the prospect of both blood and
pay was too much for them to withstand, and in 1777 they, in
common with Cayugas, Onondagas and Mohawks, made a treaty
with the British at Oswego, agreeing to serve the King through-
out the war.
Fort Niagara became, as it had been during the French war
the key of all this region, and to it the Iroquois constantly
looked for support and guidance. Their raids kept the whole
frontier for hundreds of m.iles in a state of terror, and were
attended by the usual horrors of savage warfare.
Among the celebrated Iroquois Chiefs in the Revolution was
Theyendenega (or Joseph Brant), a Mohawk, and Guiengwah-
toh and Honayewus (or Farmer's Brother), Cornplanter, and
Governor Blacksnake, of the Senecas.
The slaughter and devastation in the \\'\-oming valley, in
Pennsylvania, and the massacre at Cherry Valley, in the State
of New Yot"k, and other events of a similar kind on a smaller
scale, induced Congress and Cieneral Washington to send an
army against the Six Nations in the Summer of 1779. General
Sullivan, the commander, marched up the Susquehana to Tioga
Point, where he was joined by a brigade under Gen. James
Clinton (father of DeWitt Clinton), and then with a force of
about 4,000 men, moved up the Chemung to near the site of
Klmira- There Colonel Butler, with a small body of Indians
THK SKNF.CAS IX l-.RIK (■()rNI\'. 21
and Tories, x'ariousK' estimated at from six lumdred to fifteen
hundred men, had thrown up intrenchments, and a battle was
foui^ht. Butler was defeated, retired with considerable loss, and
made no further resistance. Sullivan advanced and destroyed
all the Seneca villages on the Genesee and about Cieneva, burn-
iuL;- wii^wams and cabins, cuttint;^ down orchards, cuttint:^ up
<;"rowin;^ corn and utterl)' clewistatins^ the country.
The Senecas fled in great disma\' to fort Niagara. The
Onondaga village had iti the meantime been destroyed by
another force, but it is plain that the Senecas were the ones
who were chiefly feared, and against whom the vengeance of
the Americans was chiefly directed. After thoroughly lading
waste their country, the Americans returned to the east.
The Senecas had not only cornfields, but gardens, orchards
and sometimes comfortable houses. They were the most pow-
erful and warlike of all the Six Nations, but their spirits were
much broken by this disaster. It was with difficult}' that the
British authorities procured sufficient rations to sustain the
Indians through the severe Winter of 1779-80, at Niagara.
As Spring approached the English made earnest efforts to
reduce the expense, by persuading the Indians to make new-
settlements and plant crops.
In the Spring of 1780, a considerable body of Senecas came
up from Fort Niagara and established themselves on Buffalo
Creek, about four miles above its mouth. This as far as known
A\as the first permanent settlement of the Senecas in Erie
county. They had probably had huts here to use while hunt-
ing and fishing, but no regular villages. In fact, this settle-
ment of the Senecas in the Spring of 1780, was probably the
first permanent occupation of the count}' since the destruction
of the Neuter Nation, a hundred and thirty-five years before.
The same Spring another band located themselves at the
mouth of the Cattaraugus.
The Indians who settled on Buffalo creek brought with them
several members of a Quaker family b}' the name of (iilbert
who had been captured a few months prexious on the borders
of Pennsylvania. After the war, this family published a narra-
tive of their capti\'it}', which gives valuable information regard-
ing this period of our history.
22 SURRENDER OF CORNWALLIS.
Immediately on the arrival of the Indians the squaws began
to clear the land and prepare it for corn, while the men built
some log huts and then went out hunting. In the beginning of
the Winter of 1780-81, two British officers. Captain Powell and
Lieutenant Johnston, came to the settlement on Buffalo creek
and remained until toward Spring. They were probably sent
by the British authorities at Fort Niagara to aid in putting the
new settlement on a solid foundation. They made strenuous
efforts to obtain the release of Rebecca and Benjamin, two of
the younger members of the Gilbert family, but the Indians
were unwilling to give them up. This Lieutenant Johnston
afterward located at Buffalo, and was known to the early settlers
as Capt. William Johnston. It must have been about this time
that Johnston took unto himself a Seneca wife, for his son,
John Johnston, was a young man when Buffalo was laid out, in
1803. Captain Powell had married Jane Moore, a girl who,
with her mother and others of the family, had been captured at
Cherry Valley.
Captain (afterwards Colonel) Powell is frequently and honor-
ably mentioned in several accounts as doing everything in his
power to ameliorate the condition of the captives among the
Indians. Through his influence and exertions, several of the
Gilbert family were released from captivity and sent to Mon-
treal. In the Spring of 1781, Captain Powell was sent to dis-
tribute provisions, hoes and other implements among the
Indians. At the distribution, the Chiefs of every band came
for shares, each having as many sticks as there were persons
in his band, in order to insure a fair division. In October,
1 78 1, Cornwallis surrendered, and thenceforth there were no
more active hostilities.
Rebecca Gilbert and Benjamin Gilbert, jr., were released the
next year. This appears to have been managed by Colonel
Butler, who, to give him his due, always seemed willing to
befriend the captives, though constantly sending out his sav-
ages to make new ones. Not until the arrangements were all
made did the Indians inform Rebecca of her approaching
freedom. With joyful heart she prepared for the journey,
making bread and doing other needful work for her captors.
PEACK l••()RM.\I.I.^■ DKCl.ARKI). 23
Then by canoe and on foot she aiid her brother were taken to
Fort Niai^ara, and, after a conference, the last two of tlie ill-fated
Gilbert family were released from captivity in June, I7<S2.
In the fall of 1783, peace was formally declared between
Great Britain and the revolted colonies henceforth to be
acknowledt^ed by all men as the United States of America.
24 PHELPS AND GORHAM PURCHASE.
CHAPTER VI.
The Treaty of Fort Stanwix, 1784 — Phelps and Gorham's Purchase in 17S8 —
Council at Buffalo Creek in 178S — Phelps' Large Mill Site on the Genesee
River — Robert Morris — The Holland Land Company— Treaty of 1826 —
Treaty of 1842 — Buffalos and Buffalo Creek.
In October, 1784, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix (Rome)
between three Commissioners of the United States and the
Sachems of the Six Nations.
The eastern boundary of the Indian lands does not seem to
have been in dispute, but the United States wanted to extin-
guish whatever claim the Six Nation: might have to the west-
ern territory, and also to keep open the right of way around the
Falls of Niagara, which Sir William Johnston had obtained for
the British.
In 1788, Massachusetts sold all her land in New York, about
six million acres, to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham act-
ing on behalf of themselves and others, for one million dollars,
in three equal annnal payments, the purchasers being at liberty
to pay in certain stocks of that State, then worth about twenty
cents on the dollar; the purchase was subject to the rights of
the Indians.
Phelps procured the calling of a council at Buffalo Creek,
which met July 5, 1788. Phelps had secured the influence of
Butler, Brant, and other influential persons, and the proceed-
ings were very harmonious. The east line of this purchase ran
from Pennsylvania due north to Lake Ontario and crossing
•Seneca lake ; the west line ran from Avon south, along the
Genesee river to the mouth of Canaseraga creek, thence due
south to the Pennsylvania line. This was " Phelps and Gorham
purchase." It included about two million six hundred thousand
acres, for which they paid five thousand dollars in hand, and five
hundred dollars annually for e\^er; this was about equal to half
a cent an acre. During the negotiations, Phelps suggested that
he wanted to build some mills at the falls of the Genesee (now
Rochester), which would be very convenient for Indians as well
as whites; and he wished the Indians to give him a mill site
HOLLAND PU RCIL\SE. 25
and the necessary aiiKHint ()f land to l;<) with it. The red men
thought mills woidd be a good thing, and their white brotlier
should have a mill-site — how much land did he want for this
purpose? Phelps replied that he thought a strip about twelve
miles wide, extending from Avon to the mouth of the river,
tw^enty-eight miles, would be about right. The Indians thought
that a pretty large mill-site, but they gave him the land. The
mill-site contained about two hundred thousand acres.
The adoption of the Federal constitution had caused a great
rise in Massachusetts stocks, so that Phelps and Gorham were
unable to make the payments they had agreed on and Massa-
chusetts released them from their contract as to all the land
except that to which they had extinguished the Indian title, to
wit, " Phelps and Gorham Purchase;" of that the State gave
them a deed in full.
Massachusetts then sold the released lands in five tracts to
Robert Morris, the merchant prince of Philadelphia, and the
celebrated financier of the revolution. ' The easternmost of
these tracts Mr. Morris sold out in small parcels. The remain-
ing four constituted the " Holland Purchase." Mr. Morris sold
it by conveyances made in 1792 and 1793, to several Ameri-
cans, who held it in trust for a number of Hollanders, who,
being aliens, could not hold it in their own name at that time.
These Hollanders were known as the Holland company after-
wards. In September, 1797, a council was held at Geneseo, at
which Robert Morris bought of the Indians the whole of the
remaining Seneca lands in New York, except eleven reserva-
tions of various sizes.
At a council held in August, 1826, the Senecas ceded to the
Ogden compan)- thirt)--three thousand six hundred and thirty-
seven acres of the Buffalo Creek reservation, thirty-three
thousand four hundred and nine acres of the Tonawanda reser-
\-ation, five thousand one hundred and twent}' of the Catta-
augus reser\^ation, besides one thousand fi\e hundred acres in
the Genesee valley.
From the Buffalo Creek reser\-ation, a strip a mile and a half
wide was sold off on the north side commencing at a point
one and one half miles east of where the Cayuga creek crossed
the reservation line in the town of Chautauqua, thence to the
26 THE ( ;attakau(;us reservation.
east end of the reservation, also a strip three miles wide across
the east end. And finally a strip a mile wide extending the
whole length of the south side of the reservation called the
" Mile Strip."
Of the Cattaragus reservation, there was ceded in Erie
county a strip six miles long and a mile wide from the north
side called the " Mile Strip," and a mile square called the
" Mile Block," south of the east end of that strip. Both are
in the present town of Brant.
In the year 1838, the Ogden company made strong efforts
to obtain possession of all the Indian lands in Western New
York. A treaty was made and sanctioned by the President and
ratified by the Senate to accomplish that object. The Indians
were to receive nearly two million acres of land in Kansas,
and a considerable amount of money in exchange for their
reservation. But the facts brought to light in regards to the
means used to obtain the signatures of some of the chiefs
caused so much popular feeling, and the determination of
the Indians was so strong not to go west, that the company
did not try to remove them.
In May, 1842, a new agreement was made by which the
Ogden company allowed the Senecas to retain the Cattaraugus
and Allegany reservations and the Indians gave up the Buffalo
creek and Tonawanda tracts on condition of receiving their
proportionate value. This was satisfactory to the Buffalo
Creek Indians, but not to those on the Tonawanda reservation.
Arbitrators duly chosen decided that the proportionate value
of the Indian title to those two reservations was seventy-five
thousand dollars, and that of the improvements on them fifty-
nine thousand dollars. They also awarded the portion of the
fifty-nine thousand dollars due to each Indian on the Buffalo
creek reservation, but could not do it on the Tonawanda one,
because the inhabitants of the latter refused to let them come
on the reservation to make an appraisal. After some two years
one of the claimants undertook to expel one of the Tonawanda
Indians by force, whereupon he sued him and recovered judg-
ments, the court deciding that the proper steps had not been
taken to justify the claimant's action.
Finally to end the controversy the United States Govern-
BUFFALO CREEK. 2/
ment bought the claim of the O^den Company to the Tona-
wanda Reservation and gave it to the Indians residing there.
They now hold it by the same title by which white men own
their lands, except that the fee is in the whole tribe and not in
any individual members.
Meanwhile the Buffalo Indians quietly received the money
alloted to them and after a year or two allowed them for prep-
aration, they in 1843-4 abandoned their reservation. Most
of them joined their brethren on the Cattaraugus reserva-
tion, some went to that on the Allegany, and a few removed
to lands allotted them in Kansas.
The treaty of Fort Stanwix was the first public document
containing the name of Buffalo creek, as applied to the stream
which empties into the foot of Lake Erie. The narrative of
the Gilbert family, published just after the war, was the first
appearance of the name in writing or printing.
The question has been often debated, whether the original
Indian name was "Buffalo" creek. This almost of necessity
involves the further question, whether the buffalo ever ranged
on its banks; for it is to be presumed that Indians would not
in the first place have adopted that name, unless such had
been the case.
Numerous early travelers and later hunters, mention the
existence of buffalo in the vicinity, or not far away. A strong
instance is the account of the Missionaries Chaumonot and
Breboeuf, which declares that the Neuter Nation, who occu-
pied the County of Erie, and a portion of Canada across the
Niagara river were in the habit of hunting the buffalo, together
with other animals.
Mr. Ketchum in his history of " Buffalo and the Senccas,"
says that all the oldest Senecas in 1820, declared that buffalo
bones had been found within their recollection, at the salt licks
near Sulphur Springs. The same authorities produce evidence
that white men had killed buffaloes within the last one hundred
and twenty years, not only in Ohio, but Western Pennsylvania.
Albert Gallatin who was a surve}'or in Western Virginia in
1784, declared in a paper published by the American Ethno-
logical Society, that they were at that time abundant in the
Kenhawa \'alle\-, and that he had for eight months lived
28 THE NEUTER XATKJN.
principally on their flesh. This is positive proof and the Kenhawa
valley is onl)' three hundred miles from here and oni\- one hun-
dred miles further west, and is as well wooded a country as this.
The narrative of the Gilbert family is very strong evidence
that from the first the Senecas applied the name of Buffalo to
the stream in question. Although the book was not published
until after the war, yet the knowledge then given to the public
was acquired in 1 780, '81 and '82. At least six of the family
were among the Senecas on Buffalo, creek. Some of them
were captives for over two years, and must have acquired con-
siderable knowledge of the language. It is utterly out of the
question that they could all have been mistaken as to the name
of the stream on which they lived, which must have been con-
stantly referred to by all the Senecas in talking about their peo-
ple domiciled there, as well as by the scores of British ofificers
and soldiers with whom the Gilberts came in contact.
If then the Neuter Nation hunted buffalos across in Canada
in 1640, if they were killed by the whites in Ohio and Penn-
sylvania within the last century, if Albert Gallatin found them
abundant on the Kenhawa in 1784, if the old Senecas of 1820
declared they had found their bones at the salt licks, and if the
Indians called the stream on which they settled in 1780, Buffalo
creek, there can be no reasonable doubt that they knew what
they were about, and did so because that name came down
from former times when the monarch of the western prairie
strayed over the plains of the county of Erie.
KARI.V LAND (i RANIS. 29
C H A P r E R VII.
LAND TITLES.
King James' Grant — Grant of Charles [. — Conflicting Claims — Phelps and
(jorham's Purchase — Sale to Robert Morris.
James the b'irst, Kin<;" of Great Britain, in the year 1620,
granted to the Ph'inouth company a tract of countr\' called
New Ent;iand. This tract extended through several degrees of
latitude north and south, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
ocean, east and west.
Charles the First, in 1663, granted to the Duke of York and
Albany the province of New York, including the present State
of New Jersey. The tract thus granted extended from a line
twenty miles east of the Hudson river westward indefiniteh'.
By these grants, each of the colonies (afterward states) laid
claim to the jurisdiction as well as to the pre-emption right of
the same land, including a portion of the State of New York,
and a tract farther west sufficiently large to fornj several states.
The State of New York, how^ever, in 1781, and Massachu-
setts in 1785, ceded to the United States all their rights, both
of jurisdiction and of proprietorship, to all the territor)' l}'ing
west of the meridian line running south from the westerly end of
Lake Ontario. This left about twenty thousand square miles
of territory in dispute, but this controversy was finall\- settled
by a convention of commissioners appointed by Massachusetts
and New York, held at Hartford, Conn., on the i6th day of
December, 1786.
According to the stipulation entered into by the convention
Massachusetts ceded to the State of New York all her claim to
the government, sovereignt}' and jurisdiction of all the terri-
tory lying west of the present east line of the State of New-
York, and New York ceded to Massachusetts the pre-emption
right or fee of the land, subject to the title of the Indians, of
all that part of the State of New York lying west of a line
beginning at a point in the north line of Pennsylvania, eighty-
two miles west of the northeast corner of said state, and
30 LAND PURCHASES.
running from there due north through Seneca lake to Lake
Ontario ; excepting and reserving to the State of New York a
strip of land east of and adjoining the eastern bank of Niagara
river, one mile wide, and extending its whole length (called the
state mile strip). The land, the pre-emption right of which
was thus ceded, amounted to about six millions of acres.
In April, 1788, Massachusetts contracted to sell to Nathaniel
Gorham and Olivier Phelps, of said state (who were acting for
themselves and their associates), their pre-emption right to all
the lands in Western New York, amounting to about six
million acres, for the sum of one million dollars, to be paid in
three annual installments, for which a kind of scrip Massa-
chusetts had issued, called consolidated securities, was to be
received, which was then in the market much below par.
In July, 1788, Messrs. Gorham and Phelps, purchased of the
Indians, by a treaty at a convention held at Buffalo creek, the
Indian title to about two millions six hundred thousand acres of
the eastern part of their purchase from Massachusetts. This
purchase of the Indians being bounded west by a line running
due south from the mouth of Canaseraga creek to the Pennsyl-
vania line, and northerly from the mouth of said creek along
the waters of the Genesee river to a point two miles north of
Cannawagas village, thence running west twelve miles, thence
running northwardly so as to be twelve miles distant from the
west side of said river to the shore of Lake Ontario.
On the 2 1st day of November, 1788, the State of Massachu-
setts conveyed and forever quitclaimed to Gorham and Phelps,
their heirs and assigns forever, all the right and title of said
state to all that tract of country of which Messrs. Phelps and
Gorham had extinguished the Indian title. This tract, and
this only, has since been designated as the " Phelps and Gor-
ham purchase."
Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, who had paid about one-third
of the purchase money of the whole tract purchased by Massa-
chusetts, in consequence of the rise of the value of Massach-
setts consolidated stock (in which the payments for the land
were to be received) from twenty per cent, to par. were unable
further to comply with their engagements on their part and
Massachusetts commenced suits on their bonds. After a long
TlIK MORRIS RKSKRVK. 3 1
negotiati()n between the parties, the v\ hole transaction relative
to the purchase of those land was settled and finally closed on
the loth day of March, 1791, Phelps and Gorham relinquished
to Massachusetts that portion of the land since known as the
"Holland Purchase" and the "Morris Reserve," and Massa-
chusetts relinquished to the said Phelps and Gorham their
bonds for the payment of the purchase money therefor.
The whole of said lands, released by Phelps and Gorham to the
State of Massachusetts, as above stated, were sold by said state,
to Robert Morris on the i ith day of May, 1791, in five different
deeds. The first deed included all the land on said tract l>'inij
east of a meridian line beginning at a point in the north line of
Pennsylvania, twelve miles west of the southwest corner of
Phelps and Gorham's tract and running due north to Lake
Ontario, supposed to contain about five hundred thousand
acres. The above tract took the name of " The Morris
Reserve." from the fact that he retained that tract in the sale
which he afterwards made to the Holland company.
32 THE HOLLAND COMPANY.
CHAPTER VIII.
Historical Deduction of the Holland Company's Title — A Curious Fact —
Indian Council at Geneseo — Indian Reservation^Joseph Ellicott the
Principal Surveyor — Other Surveyors — The Transit Instrument — Run-
ning the East Transit Line — Running the Mile-Sirip Line a ong the
Niagara River — Buffalo Creek — Williamsburg — "Transit Store House"
— The First Wagon Track on the Holland Purchase— Buffalo in 179S —
First Crops Raised on the Holland Purchase —The Three Taverns
Located — The First Woman on the Holland Purchase.
The last four tracts described in the conveyances of the
land purchased of Massachusetts, by Robert Morris, were con-
veyed by him, by four separate deeds, as follows: First deed
from Robert Morris and wife, to Herman Le Roy and John
Linklaen, for one and a half million acres, dated December 24,
1 792. Second deed from Robert Morris and wife, to Herman Le
Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon for one million acres,
dated February 27, 1793. Third deed from Robert Morris and
wife, to Herman Le Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon, for
eight hundred thousand acres, dated July 20, 1793. Fourth
deed from Robert Morris and wife, to Herman Le Ro}% William
Bayard and Matthew Clarkson, for three hundred thousand
acres, dated July 20, 1793.
These tracts were purchased with the funds of certain gen-
tlemen in Holland, and held in trust b\' the several grantees
for their benefit, as they, being aliens, could not purchase and
hold real estate in their own names, according to the then
existing laws of the State. After several changes in the trus-
tees, and transfers of portions of the land, sanctioned b}' the
Legislature, the whole tract was conveyed by the trustees, by
three separate deeds to the Holland compan\', or rather to the
individuals in their own names, composing three separate
branches of the company.
Although these deeds of con\'e\'ance were given to three
distinct companies of proprietors, their interests were so closely
blended, several ot the same persons, having large interests in
each of the three different estates; they appointed one general
'11 1 1'-. DITCH I'kol'RIKl'okS. 33
agent for the whole, who manaj^ed the coneerns of the tract
generally, as though it belonged to the same proprietors,
making no distinction which operated in the least on the settlers
and purchasers, but sinii)l\- keeping the accounts of each separate,
when practicable, and apportioning /n^ /v^/c?, all expenses when
blended in the same transaction, for the benefit of the whole.
The general agent likewise appointed the same local or resident
agent for the three companies owning this tract in Western
New York. The onl)- difference between its consisting of one
or more tracts discernable by the purchaser of lands, was, in
executing contracts or conveyances, the agents used the names
of the respective proprietors of each tract. Under this state
of things, we shall denominate the whole of the proprietors
holding under these three deeds, "The Holland Company,"
and the lands conveyed by those deeds the "Holland Purchase.''
It is a curious fact that when the Dutch proprietors were par-
celing out the tract among the three different branches of the
company, it was mutually agreed among the whole, that
Messrs. Wilhem Willink, Jan Willink, Wilhem VVillink the
younger, and Jan Willink the younger, should have three
hundred thousand acres, located in such part of the whole tract
as they should select. In making their selection they located
their three hundred thousand acres in nearl)- a square form, in
the south-east corner of the tract, for the reason that it was
nearest Philadelphia, the residence of their general agent.
This selection contained the territory now comprising the towns
of Bolivar, Wirt, Friendship, the east part of Belfast, (ienesee,
Clarksville and Cuba, in Allegany county; Portville and the
east parts of Ischua and Hinsdale, in Cattaraugus county.
This location will give the reader who is acquainted with the
geography of the country, some idea of the knowledge, or
rather want of knowledge, of the Dutch proprietors, of the
situation and relative advantages of the different portions of
their vast domains.
This sale by Robert Morris to the Holland company was
made before the Indian title to the land was extinguished,
accompanied by an agreement on his part to extinguish that
title, with the assistance of the company, as soon as practicable ;
therefore at a council of the Seneca Indi.uis, hekl at Geneseo,
2
34
I NDI AN RESERV ATION.'^.
on the Genesee river, in the month of September, 1797, at which
Jeremiah Wadsworth attended as commissioner for the United
States, and William Shepherd as agent for Massachusetts,
Robert Morris in fulfilment of his several contracts with the
Holland company, and to other persons to whom he had sold
land on this tract, acting by his agents, Thomas Morris and
Charles Williamson, extinguished the Indian title to all the
land, the pre-emption right of which he had purchased of Mas-
sachusetts, except the following Indian reservations, viz ; The
Cannawagus reservation, containing two square miles, lying on
the west bank of Genesee river, west of Avon. Little Beard's
and Big Tree reservations, containing together four square
miles, lying on the west bank of the Genesee river, opposite
Geneseo. Squakie Hill reservation, containing two square
miles, lying on the north bank of the Genesee river, north of
Mount Morris. Gardeau reservation, containing about twenty-
eight square miles, lying on both sides of Genesee river, two
or three miles south of Mount Morris. The Canadea reserva-
tion, containing sixteen square miles, lying each side of, and
extend eight miles along the Genesee river, in the county of
Allegany. The Oil Spring reservation, containing one square
mile, lying on the line between Allegany and Cattaraugus
counties. The Allegany reservation, containing forty-two
square miles, lying on each side of the Allegany river and
extending from the Pennsylvania line northeaswardly about
twenty-five miles. The Cattaraugus reservation, containing
forty-two square miles, lying on each aide and near the mouth
of the Cattaraugus creek, on Lake Erie. The Buffalo reserva-
tion, containing one hundred and thirty square miles, lying on
both sides of Buffalo creek, and extending east from Lake
Erie about seven miles wide. The Tonawanda reservation,
containing seventy square miles, lying on both sides of
Tonawanda creek, beginning about twenty-five miles from
its mouth, and extending eastwardly about seven miles wide ;
and the Tuscarora reservation, containing one square mile,
being about three miles east of Lcwiston on the Mountain
Ridge.
Theophilus Cazenove, the general agent of the Holland
company, resident at Philadelphia, in July, 1797, had engaged
11 IK srK\ i:\' Co.MMKXCKI).
Mr. loscpli ICllicott, as principal surveyor of the conii^any's
lands in Western New York, whenever their title should be
[jcrfected and possession obtained, and likewise, to attend the
before-mentioned council, and assist Messrs. W. Bayard and J.
Linklaen, who were to attend and act as assents for the corn-
pan}' [sill) rasa) for the purpose of promoting- the interests of
their principals in an\- treaty which mi<;ht be made with the
Indians. Mr. Ellicott attended the council accordingly, and
rendered valuable services to the purchasers. This period was
the commencement of upwards of twenty years" re<;ular active
service rendered by Mr. Ellicott to the Holland company, in
conducting their affairs and executing laborious enterprises for
their benefit.
As soon as the favorable result of the proceedings of this
council was known, Mr. Ellicott proceeded immediately to
prepare for the traverse and survey of the north and northwest
bounds of the tract. As soon as the necessary preparatory
steps could be taken, Mr. Ellicott, as surveyor for the Holland
company, and Augustus Porter, in the same capacity, for
Robert Morris, for the purpose of estimating the quantity of
land in the tract, started a survey at the northeast corner of
Phelps and Gorham's tract, west of Genesee river, and trav-
ersed the .south shore of Lake Ontario to the mouth of Niagara
riv^er, thence up the eastern shore of Niagara river to Lake
Erie, thence along the southeast shore of Lake Erie to
the west bounds of the State of New York being a meridian
line running due south from the west end of Lake Ontario,
which had been previously established by Andrew Ellicott,
Surveyor-General of the United States, assisted b\- Joseph
Ellicott. All which was perfected by the middle of Novem-
ber following.
Before Mr. Ellicott left Western New York for Philadelphia,
he contracted with Thomas Morris to deliver on the Genesee
river or shore of Lake Ontario near the mouth of that river,
one hundred barrels of pork, fifteen barrels of beef, and two
hundred and seventy barrels of flour, for the supply of the
surveyors and their assistants the ensuing season. Mr. Ellicott,
at the request of the Agent-General, made a list of articles to
be provided for the next .season's campaign, consisting of a
36 SUBDIVISION OF WWNSHIPS.
diversity of articles, from pack-horses to horse-shoes, nails and
gimlets — from tents to towels — from barle}' and rice to choco-
late, coffee and tea, and from camp-kettles to teacups ; esti-
mated to amount to $7,213.33. This statement, however, did
not include medicine, " or wine, spirits, loaf-sugar, &c., for
headquarters." Mr. EUicott likewise calculated the wages of
surveyors and other hands, for six months of the next season,
at $19,830.
Although the great divisions of the Holland Purchase was
intended to consist of townships six miles square, the division
of the tract among the three sets of proprietors, the Indian
reservations which were not included in the townships, as well
as the offsets and sinuosities existing in most of the boundaries,
prevented a large portion of the townships conforming to this
standard. The townships are situated in ranges running from
south to north. The townships in each range of townships
beginning to number one at the south, rising regularly in
number to the north, and the ranges of townships beginning
to number one at the east, and proceeding regularly west, to
fifteen.
The first plan of the Agent-General of the compan}-, relative
to the subdivision of the townships, was to divide each town-
ship, which was six miles square, into sixteen portions one and
a half miles square, to be called sections, and each section
again subdivided into twelve lots, each lot to be three-fourths
of a mile long (generally north and south), and one-fourth of a
mile wide, containing about one hundred and twent}' acres
each ; presuming that a wealthy farmer would buy a section,
whereon to locate himself and his progeny. Twenty-four
townships were surveyed or commenced to be surveyed in con-
formity to that plan, although the uniformity of the size and
shape of lots was often departed from, where large streams,
such as the Tonawanda, running through the townships, were,
for convenience, made boundaries of lots. From experience,
however, it was ascertained that, in the purchase of land, each
individual, whether father, son, or son-in-law, would locate him-
self according to his own choice or fancy. That this formal
and regular division of land into farms, seldom was found to be
in conformity to the topography of the country, nor to the
■|"IIE SUR\ KNORS. 37
different iXHjuireinents as to ciuaiitit}', likewise that tlie addition
of sections to townships and lots, rendered the description of
farms more complex, and increased the liability to err in defin-
ing any particular location ; for which reasons, the practice of
dividing townships in sections was abandoned, and thereafter,
the townships were simply divided into lots of about sixty
chains or three-fourths of a mile square, which could be divided
into farms to suit the topography of the land and quantity
required by the purchasers. In those townships which the sur-
veys had commenced to divide into sections, and not com-
pleted, the remaining sections were divided into four lots only
of three-fourths of a mile square each. These lots conse-
quently contained about three hundred and sixty acres each,
but could not be laid off exactly uniform in shape and area, for
the same reason heretofore given in a note, why the townships
could not be laid off exactly uniform.
Early in the Spring of 1788, Mr. Ellicott dispatched Adam
Hoops, jr., a nephew of Major Adam Hoops, from Philadelphia,
to Western New York, with general powers to prepare for
opening the approaching campaign of surveying the Holland
Purchase, and to co-operate with Augustus Porter, who had
previously been engaged to procure horses, employ hands, and
transport stores from the places of their delivery by the con-
tractor, Mr. Morris, to the places where they would be required
for consumption.
The principal surve)^ors engaged during the active season of
1798, in township, meridian line and reservation surveys, and in
lake and river traverses, were as follows: Joseph and Benjamin
Ellicott, JohnTompson, Richard M. Stoddard, George Burgess,
James Dewey, David Ellicott, Aaron Oakford, jr., Augustus
Porter, Seth Pease, James Smedly, William Shepherd, Geo.
Eggleston. In addition to these, were two P'renchmen, MM.
Haudecaur and Autrechy, who were employed in some surveys
of Niagara river and the Falls. The last were rather engineers
than surveyors. Mr. James Brisbane, then in his minority,
came from Philadelphia, with Mr. Tompson, as clerk and store-
keeper.
Mr. Ellicott and his assistants having arrived on the territory,
his first business was to ascertain and correctly establish the
38 Till-: "TRANSIT IXSTRrMKXr."
c;ist line of the Purchase. He caused the PennsyKania Hne to be
accurateh' measured from the southwest corner of Phelps and
Gorham's purchase, on the eighty-second mile-stone, twelve
miles west, and there erected a stone monument for the south-
east corner of the Holland Purchase. The whole company
was then divided into parties, to prosecute the undertaking to
advantage. The principal surveyor, Joseph Ellicott, assisted
by Benjamin Ellicott, one other surveyor and the requisite
number of hands, undertook to run the eastern boundary line.
The other surveyors, each with his c[uota of hands, were
assigned to run different township lines.
A line running due north from the monument established as
the south-east corner by Mr. Ellicott, to the boundary line
between the United States and the dominions of the King of
Great Britain, in Lake (3ntario, according to the deeds of con-
veyance from Robert Morris to the company, constitutes the
east line of their purchase. To run a true meridian by the sur-
veyor's compass Mr. Ellicott knew to be impracticable, he there-
fore determined to run this line by an instrument, having for
its basis the properties of the " Transit instrument " (an instru-
ment made use of to observe the transits of the heavenly
bodies), improved for this purpose by a newly-invented manner
of accurately arriving at the same ; to effect this object, an
instrument possessing all these qualities, was manufactured in
Philadelphia by his brother, Benjamin Ellicott, as no instru-
ment possessing all the qualities desired, was then to be found
in the United States.
This instrument had no magnetic needle attached to it, but
its peculiar qualities and prominent advantages are, that by
means of its telescopic tube and accurate manner of reversing,
by it, a straight line can be correctly, and comparatively speak-
ing, expeditiously run. But such an instrument, by reason of
its magnifying powers, is as ill calculated to run a line through
the woods and underbrush, as would be a microscope to observe
the transits of the satellites of Herschel. Therefore it became
necessary to cut a vista through the woods on the highlands
and on level ground, sufficient!}' wide to admit a clear and
uninterru})ted view.
Mr, Ellicott having provided himself with such an instrument.
SUKVKV(JRS ARRIN'K .\r \V1 LMAMSliURO. 39
caused the vista to be cut, some three or four rods wide,
ahead of the transit instrument, in a north direction as indi-
cated by the compass, which sometimes led the axmen more
than the width of the vista from the meridian sought ; there-
fore the true meridian hne, called the transit line, from the
name of the instrument with which it was run, being of no
width, runs sometimes on one side of the middle of the vista
cut in advance, and sometimes on the other.
Thus prepared with' a suitable instrument, Mr. Ellicott
assisted by his brother, Benjamin Elllicott, together with sur-
veyors and their assistants, established a true meridian line north
from the corner monument, by astronomical observations, and
pursued it with the transit instrument, taking new astronomical
observations at different stations, to guard against accidental
variations.
The progress in running this line was slow, as it could not be
otherwise expected, considering the great amount of labor nec-
essary to be performed in clearing the vista, and taking other
preparatory measures, and, above all, the vast importance of
having it correctly established, which rendered anything like
precipitance or haste, an experiment too hazardous to be per-
mitted. June 1 2th, the party on this line had advanced so far
north, that they established their store-house at Williamsburg
(about three miles south of the village of Geneseo), and soon after
Mr. Ellicott made it his headquarters at Hugh M'Nair's, in that
vicinity. On the 22d day of November, following, eighty-one
and a half miles of the line was established, which brought them
within about thirteen miles of the shore of Lake Ontario. The
precise date of its completion is unknowns.
This line defined the west bounds of Mr. Church's one hun-
dred thousand acres, but passed through the Cotringer, Ogden
and Cragie tracts, about two miles from their west boundaries,
as described in the deeds of conveyance from Robert Morris to
the several grantees ; but as their titles were of a later date than
the conveyance to the Holland Company, no deviation from the
first established meridian was made by Mr. Ellicott.
On arriving at the south line of the one hundred thousand
acre tract, conveyed by Robert Morris to Leroy Bayard and
M'Evers, now called the Connecticut tract (the conveyance of
40 DIFFICULT WORK Acro.MI'LISHK] ).
which, from Robert Morris, claimed seniority over that to the
Holland Company). Mr. Ellicott found that his meridian inter-
sected the south line of that tract, one hundred and sixty-six
chains thirty links east of its southwest corner, on which he
moved his position that distance to the west, from which point
he ran the transit due north to Lake Ontario.
Although the eastern bank of the Niagara river had been
traversed, the east bounds of the New York mile strip had not
been ascertained, and the state would participate in it no
further than to give the proprietors of the land adjoining, to
wit : the Holland Company liberty to run the line at their own
expense, and if so run as to be approved by the Surveyor Gen-
eral of the state, it should be established as permanently located,
and passed a law to that effect. This was undoubtedly the
most difficult piece of surveying ever performed in the state.
At the north end where the river disembogued itself into the
lake, at almost right angles with its shores, there could no
doubts arise, but at the south end of the straits or river, a dif-
ferent state of things existed, Lake Erie narrowed gradually and
became a river ; where the lake ends and the river begins may
be considered a difficult question, but it was finally agreed
between the parties interested, the river should be deemed to
extend to where the water was one mile wide and there cease ;
the line of the strip east of this point extending to the shore
of Lake Erie, on an arc of a circle of one mile radius, the center
being on the eastern bank at the termination of the lake and
head of the river, giving to the strip all the land lying within
a mile of the river, whether east or south.
For this arc of the circle, which could not be practically run,
a repetition of short sides, making a section of a regular poly-
gon, was substituted. Seth Pease, a scientific surveyor and
astronomer, was engaged in the fall of 1788, to run this line,
who executed the survey in a masterly manner, and to the satis-
faction of all the parties concerned.
During the year 1799 and 1800, few events transpired relative
to the settlement of the Holland Purchase, which require a cir-
cumstantial detail, or would admit of one which would be inter-
esting to the reader. The surveyors and their assistants, under
the direction of their principal, Joseph Ellicott, continued the
CAl'l'. WILLIAM J( )II\S'r( )\. 41
same stead}- routine of encamping in the woods, pitchinL( their
tents, transportini,^ provisions, surveyin^r lines and striking their
tents and removing to new positions ; and although at times
many individuals, undoubtedly, suffered pain and endured hard-
ships, such incidents must have been caused by accidental
occurrences, unforeseen events or carelessness and imprudence
in themselves or their companions, as the well-supplied coffers
of the company, accompanied by their liberality, furnished
sufficient means, and the provident care of Mr. Ellicott kept
their storehouses well supplied with the best kind of provisions
for that service, as well as other necessaries and many of the
comforts of life.
This might be seen from Mr. Ellicott's catalogue of items
for the outfit of the first campaign, and its cost, heretofore
referred to, which was adopted and its contents provided.
(3f those events, however, the following deserve notice:
The Indian treaty of 1797, in which the Indian title to the
Holland Purchase was extinguished, except to certain reserva-
tions, as has been before stated, prescribed the quantities con-
tained in, and general shape and location of each reservation,
leaving the precise locations of the boundary lines to be deter-
mined thereafter.
The Indians reserved 200,000 acres, one indefinite portion of
which was to be located on Buffalo creek, at the east end of
Lake Erie, and the remainder on Tonawanda creek.
As the New York reservation excluded the Holland com-
pany's land from the waters of Niagara river, and from the
shore of Lake Erie one mile southerly from the river, it became
very important to the company to secure a landing place and
harbor at the mouth of Buffalo creek, and sufficient ground
whereon to establish a commercial and manufacturing village
or city.
Capt. William Johnston, an Indian trader and interpreter,
settled himself at the mouth of Buffalo creek at an early period
under the auspices of the British government, and remained
there until the Holland company had effected their purchase.
His dwelling house stood south of Exchange and east of Wash-
ington streets. Captain Johnston had procured of the Indians,
by gift or purchase, two square miles of land at the mouth of
42 I'KEI'ARATIUNS FUR THE CAMPAIGN.
Buffalo creek, including a large portion of the territory on
which now stands the City of Buffalo. He had also entered
into an agreement with the Indians which amounted to a life
lease of a certain mill site and the timbered land in its vicinity,
on condition of supplying the Indians with all the boards and
plank they wanted for building at and near the creek. This
site was about six miles east of the mouth of the creek. Al-
though Johnston's title to this land was not considered to have
the least validity, yet the Indians had the power and the inclina-
tion to include it within their reservation, unless a compromise
was made with Johnston, and, taking into consideration his influ-
ence with them, the agents of the company concluded to enter
into the following agreement with him, which was afterwards
fully complied with and performed by both of the parties :
Johnston agreed to surrender his right to the said two square
miles and use his influence with the Indians to have that tract
and his mill site left out of their reservation, in consideration
of which the Holland company agreed to convey by deed to
said Johnston, 640 acres, including the said mill site and adja-
cent timbered land, together with forty-five and one-half acres,
being part of said two square miles, including the buildings and
improvements, then owned by Johnston, four acres of which
were to be on the "point."
These lands, as afterward definitely located, were a tract of
forty-one and a half acres, bounded : north, by Seneca street,
west by Washington street, and south by the Little Buffalo
creek ; the other tract was bounded, east by Main street, south-
westerly by the Buffalo creek, and northwesterly by Little
BulTalo creek, containing about four acres.
This matter will again be referred to, in connection with
some further notice of early events in Buffalo.
Mr. Ellicott, before leaving Philadelphia — in the time that
intervened between his appointment and his departure — was
activel}^ engaged in making all the necessary preparations for
the campaign. David Rittenhouse, the eminent American
philosopher, was then of the firm of Rittenhouse & Potts,
mathematical and astronomical instrument makers, in Philadel-
phia; orders were given for compasses, chains and staffs — all
things in their line necessary to surveyors' outfits. Letters
i)i;i'.\Kri'i<i-. iRoM i'iiii.Ai)i:i.nii.\. 43
were written to AuL;ustus Porter, at Canandait;ua, to have
ready such provisions, pack horses, axe-nien and chain-men, as
lie had been ordered to provide; to Thomas Morris, at the
same place, recjuestin^ his promj^t performance of some agen-
cies that had been entrusted to him; to different persons at
New York, iVlbany, h'ort Schu)der and Oueenston, containing
orders to facilitate the transportation of stores and aid the sur-
veying [)arties in getting upon the ground, and in supplying
themselves with all things necessary for going into the woods.
All things requisite were remembered and provided for. Clark
and Street, at Chippewa, were ordered to have read\- two yoke
of oxen and a stout lumber wagon (that was undoubtedly the
pioneer ox team upon the Holland Purchase, other than such
as had been used upon the portage); even axe-handles and
tent-poles were not forgotten.
To each principal surveyor or sub-agent starting from Phila-
delphia or elsewhere, written orders were issued what route to
pursue, where to first rendezvous, where to draw his supplies
and where to commence operations. P'ormulas were made out
for each surveyor prescribing definitely the manner of his
duties, of marking lines, keeping field notes and generally
embracing all the minuta,' of his operations. It was as if the
general of an army was acting as his own commissary and put-
ting a force into the field, distributing it and making all things
ready for a campaign, and the records of our war department
would hardly furnish better examples of systematic and well
ordered enterprises.
Embraced in these preliminary proceedings, was a corre-
spondence with Mr. Williamson, in reference to a road from
the west branch of Susciuehaiinah to the " Genesee country ;"
and with the Surveyor-General of this state in reference to the
laying out of towns at Lewiston and Fort Schlosser.
Mr. Ellicott arrived at Canandaigua on the 12th of June,
1798.
The reader will best be enabled to catch glimpses of early
events — those that attended the surveys and preceded land
sales and the commencement of settlement — by occasional
references to and extracts from his correspondence, the only
existing records.
44 BUFFALO CREEK AND \VILLL\MSBUR(;H.
A letter from Mr. Thompson to Mr. Ellicott, dated Buffalo
Creek, states the stores had all arrived safely at Schlosser.
except what had been left with Mr. Brisbane, at the " Chene-
see" river; that Mr. Hoops, who had arrived in advance of
him, had gone on to "Chetawque," where he had been joined
by Mr. Stoddard ; that he himself was engaged in getting
" axes ground and handled, and in sundry other things, prepara-
tory to going to the woods."
Letters followed this very soon, by which it would seem
that the camp was erected at "Chautauqua Creek," and all
things prepared for active operation as early as the 19th of
June.
Messrs. Smedley and Egleston were located at Buffalo
Creek with surveying parties. In a letter to Mr. Ellicott, writ-
ten from there, under date June 27th, Mr. Egleston says the
goods have arrived, and that the " family in the house on the
hill" are about to move out to make room for the surveyors.
Mr. Ellicott, it would seem, had arrived at Schlosser. Antici-
pating his arrival at Buffalo, Mr. Egleston very providently
suggests that he had better bring with him room boards to
make a mapping table, as there were none to be had in their
new location, " Mr. Winne having carried off those that were in
the partition."
The first principal stations of the surveyors — their head-
quarters or depots — were at Buffalo Creek and Williamsburgh ;
before the close of 1798, however, the principal establishments
were located at the Transit Line (Stafford, the locali^ty desig-
nated as "Transit Storehouse").
Mr. James Brisbane, moving his quarters from Williams-
burgh, continued as the principal Clerk or Agent.
While upon the purchase, in 1798. Mr. Flllicott's time was
principally spent at Buffalo Creek, Williamsburgh, and upon
the Transit Line.
In the Spring of 1798, when the surveys of the Holland Pur-
chase first commenced, all the travel between the Phelps and
Gorham tract and Buffalo was an old Indian trail. The Win-
ter previous, however, the Legislature of this State passed an
act appointing Charles Williamson a Commissioner to la}- out
Bn-'IAI.o IN ITS I'.Akl.N' D.WS. 45
and open a State road from C'anncwagus on Genesee river to
Buffalo Creek on Lake Krie and to Lewiston, on the Niagara
river.
To defra\' the ex]:)ense of cutting;- out these roads, the Hol-
land Compan}' subscribed fi\'e thousand dollars. Mr. William-
son laid out and established the roads in 1798, generally
adhering" to the course of old Indian trails; but they were not
opened throughout according to contract, under his superin-
tendence. The first wagon track opened upon the Holland
purcha.se, was by Mr. Ellicott, as a preliminary step in com-
mencing operations, early in the season of 1798. He employed
a gang" of hands to improve the Indian trail, so that wagons
could pass upon it, from the east transit to Buffalo creek.
In 1 801 he opened the road from transit line as far west as
Vandeventer's". The whole road was opened to LeRoy before
the close of 1802. But little reference can be had to the order
of time in noting the events of this period; up to the period
of the commencement of land sales and settlements, our
sketches must necessarily be desultory.
Mr. Brisbane first saw Buffalo in October, 1798. There was
then the log house of Middaugh and Lane — a double log house
— about two squares from Main street, a little north of the
present line of Exchange street. Captain Johnston's half log
and half framed house, stood a little east of the main building^
of the present Mansion House, near Washington street. There
was a two-story hewed log house, owned by Captain Johnston,
about where Exchange street now is, from six to eight rods
west of Main street, where a tavern was kept by John Palmer.
Palmer afterwards moved over to Canada and kept a tavern
there.
Asa Ransom lived in a log house west of Western Hotel.
Winne had a log house on . bank of Little Buffalo, south of
Mansion House. A Mr. Maybee, who afterwards went to
Cattaraugus, kept a little Indian store in a log building on west
side of Main street, about twenty rods north of Exchange
.street. There was also a log house occupied by a man named
Robbins.
The flats were open ground ; a portion of them had been
cultivated. Such was Buffalo, and all of Buffalo in 1798.
46 FIRST CROPS ON THE IK »1. 1. AND I'ljRCIIASE.
The first crojis raised upon the Holland purchase, were at
the transit store house. In the spring of 1799, Mr. James
Dewey was waiting there with a gang of hands, to start upon a
surveying expedition as soon as the weather would permit. At
the request of Mr. Brisbane, he cleared ten acres upon either
side of the present road, twenty rods west of the Transit, which
was mainly sowed with oats ; though some potatoes and garden
vegetables were planted. The early tavern keeper there — Mr.
Walthers — reported by letter to Mr. Ellicott, that the yield
was a good one, and fully demonstrated the goodness of the
soil of the region he was surveying for a settlement.
In the summer of 1799, there not being a house on the road
from the eastern Transit line to Buffalo, Mr. Busti, the agent
general of the company, authorized Mr. Ellicott by a letter
dated June ist, 1799, to contract with six reputable individuals
to locate themselves on the road from the eastern Transit to
Buffalo creek ; about ten miles asunder, and open houses of en-
tertainment for travelers, at their several locations, in considera-
tion of which they were to have a quantity of land, from fifty
to one hundred and fifty acres each ; " at a liberal time for pay-
ment, without interest, at the lowest price the company will
sell their lands, when settlements shall be begun."
Three persons accepted of this offer, to wit : Frederick Wal-
thers who was then residing on the land, took one hundred and
fifty acres in township number twelve, range one, west of and
adjoining the eastern Transit, including the Company's store
house, and being where the village of Stafford now stands. Asa
Ransom located himself Sept. ist, 1799, on one hundred and
fifty acres in township number twelve, range six. at what is
now known as Ransom's Gro\e or Clarence Hollow. Garrett
Davis located himself Sept. 16, 1799, in township number thir-
teen, range two, on one hundred and fifty acres, on the south
line of said township; (the Buffalo road then run through the
reservation, some distance north of its present location.) These
lots were severally laid out and surveyed for the purchasers,
before the several townships in which they are located were
surveyed. These three persons erected and furnished comfort-
able houses for the purposes intended, as soon as practicable ;
which although not as splendid, yet were more eagerly sought.
rill-. 1'1()m:i;i< womiix. 47
and cheerfully cnj(i}'ccl b)- the forest traxeler and land explorer
than any of the " Astor Mouses," " Americans," or " Mansions"
of the present day.
With the exceptions of those residint:^ at Buffalo, Mrs. Gar-
rett Davis and Mrs. Walthers, were the pioneer women upon
the Holland Purchase. In 1800, Asa Ransom and Garrett
Davis raised summer crops, which were second to those raised
at the Transit store house the vear before.
4<S a(;exts of the Holland (■o^^^\^'v
CHAPTER IX.
Biographical Sketches or Agents of the Holland Company, and others.
Theophilus Cazenove.
He was the first agent of the Holland Company ; but little
is known of his personal histor}^- When the company made
their first purchases of land in this state and Pennsylvania, soon
after 1790, he had arrived in this country, and acted as their
agent. In all the negotiations and preliminary proceedings
connected with the large purchase of Mr. Morris, of this region,
the interest of the company were principally confided to him
His name is intimately blended with the whole history of the
title. When the purchase was perfected, he was made the
general agent, and under his auspices the surveys commenced.
In all the embarrassments that attended the perfection of the
title, he would seem to have been actuated b}' honorable and
praise-worthy motives, and to have assisted with a good deal
of ability, the legal managers of the compan\-'s interests. He
returned to Europe in 1799, ending then his connection with
the company. He resided for a considerable period after this
in London, after which he lived in Paris, where he died.
Paul Bustl
He was a native of Milan, in Italy; was born on the 17th of
October, 1749. After receiving his education in his native
country, he entered the counting-house of his uncle, in Amster-
dam, where he afterwards established himself in business, mar-
ried, and acquired a high reputation for business talents, indus-
try and integrity.
About retiring from commercial life and connected with one
who was interested in the Holland Company purchase, he was
induced to accept the general agency at Philadelphia, in the
place of Mr. Cazenove; and most faithfully and satisfactorily
did he perform its duties for a period of 24 years, up to the day
of his death, July 23, 1824. He left no children.
The original proprietors — the eleven who constituted the
I'AUi. ijus'ii. 49
priniitix'c Hollaiul Company, were merchants in the City of
Amsterdam (then in the RepubHc of Batavia). They had little
of the spirit of speculation ; had acquired wealth by careful
investments and fair profits. They had spare capital and wished
to invest it ; their highest anticipations were perhaps a realization
of something near the per cent, interest which was generally
fixed upon money in this country, instead of the then low per
cent, money yielded in Europe. And here it may be remarked,
that considering the period of investment — 1792 and 1793, —
but ten years after the close of the Revolutionary war — these
Dutch merchants were far in advance of the prevailing senti-
ment in Europe, as to the success and permanency of the experi-
ment of free government. We should respect their memories
for such an earnest, at that early period, of confidence in the
stability of our system.
Mr. Busti's agency, as will be observed, commenced before
the completion of surveys and the opening of sales ; conse-
quently it was under his auspices that settlements began. In
his early instructions to Mr. Ellicott, he proposed liberal meas-
ures— seems to have started on the basis that the interests of
his principals and the interest of the settlers were mutual.
While he guarded strictly and with rigid economy the one, his
views and munificence were liberal in reference to the other.
Mr. Ellicott acted under general instructions from him as to
the opening of roads, building of mills and public buildings;
but when he advised, as he often did, additional measures of
improvement or increased outlays, he was quite sure to be sec-
onded by his principal.
Next to Mr. Ellicott Mr. Busti was more closely identified
with the settlement of the Holland purchase than any other
individual. His administration of the general agency, embraced
almost the entire period of pioneer settlement. The records of
the company furnish conclusive evidence of clear judgment,
great integrity of purpose and a disposition to promote the
interests of the wild region he was aiding to settle and improve.
Joseph Ellicott.
No man has ever, perhaps, been so closely identified with the
history of any region, as he is with the history of the Holland
50 j')si:i'ii Kr.Licoir.
rurcliasc. He was not onl}- the land-ag^cnt, superintending
from the start, surve\-s and settlement — exercising locally, a
one-man-power and influence — but for a long period, he was far
more than this. In all the early years of settlement, especially
— in all things hax'ing reference to the organizing of towns,
counties, erection of public buildings, the la\'ing out of roads,
the establishment of post-offices — in all that related to the
prosperit}' and convenience of the region over which his agency
extended, he occupied a prominent position, a close identity,
that few, if any, patrons of new settlements have ever attained.
As early as 1770, Joseph Ellicott's father and his brothers
purchased a tract of wild land on the Patapoca, in Maryland,
and erecting mills and machinery, became the founders of what
was long known as '• Ellicott's Mills," now, for the sake of
brevity, termed " Ellicott's."
Andrew, the eldest brother, became an eminent surveyor ;
surveyed the Spanish boundary line under the administration
of Mr. Jefferson : \\as afterwards Surveyor-General of the U. S.:
and died the Professor of Mathematics at West Point, in 1 820
or '21.
Bexjamix, entered the service of the Holland Company at
an early period, as the assistant of his brother Joseph. He
was at an early period, one of the Judges of Genesee county,
and a representative in Congress, from the district. He was
a bachelor; died a resident of W'illiamsville, Erie count}-,
in 1827.
David, the )-ounger brother, a somewhat erratic genius, was
in some of the earliest \-ears, a sur\e\-or upon the Purchase.
He went south and no tidings ever came of him.
There were five sisters, three of whom married three brothers
by the name of Evans. In this circumstance, the reader will
find the explanation of the numerous heirs of Joseph Ellicott.
bearing that name.
Joseph Ellicott's earh* lessons in surveying, were gi\-en him
by his elder brother, Andrew. His first practical surveying,
was as an assistant of his brother, in the survey of the City of
Washington, soon after that site had been selected for the
national capital. In 1791, he was appointed by Timothy
Pickering, then Secretary of War, to run the boundary line
JOSEI'lI KL1.I(()|-|-. 51
between Geoi-oiu and the Creek Indians. After completini;- this
survey, he was employed by Mr. Cazenove, to survey the
Holland Company's lands in Pennsylvania.
This completed, he was engaged for a short time in Maryland,
in business with his brothers, and then enlisted in the Holland
Company's service in this region.
The active years of his life were those, principally, inter-
vening between the years 1790 and 1 821 — a period of about
thirty years. At least ten or twelve years were spent in the
arduous duties of a surveyor ; and when he left the woods and
settled down in the discharge of his duties as local agent, his
place was no sinecure, as the records of the of^fice will abund-
antly testif)^ He was a man of great industry; careful, system-
atic in all his business, and recjuired of all under his control a
prompt and faithful discharge of all their duties.
Jacob S. Otto.
This gentleman was the successor to Mr. Ellicott in the local
agency. He was previously a resident of Philadelphia ; had
been engaged in mercantile and commercial pursuits.
The period of his agency was from 1821 to his death, in 1826.
It was during Mr. Otto's administration, that the plan of
receiving cattle and grain from the settlers, that had previously
been entertained, was effectually commenced. Depots were
designated in different parts of the Purchase, for the delivery
of wheat; where the settler could carry it, and have its value
endorsed upon his contract. Agents were appointed to receive
cattle. They advertised yearly, the times and places, when
and where the cattle would be received, fixed upon their price,
and endorsed it upon contracts. It was one among the
measures of relief, and its operation was highly beneficial.
David E. E\'ans.
During the administration of Mr. Otto, Mr. Evans had been
appointed as his associate, to give the incumbent the advantage
of his long experience and familiarity with the details of the
business. Yet he did not to any considerable degree partici-
pate in the joint administration proposed, his time being chiefly
occupied with his own private affairs, and the duties of a mem-
ber of the Senate of this state.
52 D.WIl) K. KNAXS.
Upon the death of Mr. Otto, he entered upon tlie dischart^e
of the duties of the local agency. Earl\- in life he had been
a clerk in the office, under his uncle, Joseph Ellicott, and had
for a long period occupied the desk of the cashier and accountant
of the agency. Few, therefore, could have been more familiar
with the wants, interest and welfare of the settlers. They were
old, familiar acquaintances, and his interests were identified
with theirs.
It was during the second year of Mr. Evans' administration
(in September, 1827,) that a general plan for the modification
of land contracts was adopted. It was regarded at the time as
a very decided measure of relief to the settlers, and its opera-
tions were highh' beneficial to a very large class of the debtors
of the Holland compan\'.
Mr. Evans' agency continued until 1837. It embraced the
large sales of the Holland company's interest ; in fact, before
it closed the entire business and interests of the company had
progressed nearly to a termination.
Having served one term as State Senator, Mr. Evans had
been elected a Representative in Congress at the period of Mr.
Otto's death. He resigned to take upon himself the duties of
the agency.
R(^BERT Morris.
A short biography of one eminently useful in our revolution-
ary struggle is suggested by his after-identity with our local
region. He was, as will have been seen, at one period the pro-
prietor of the whole of Western New York west of Phelps and
Gorham's purchase, by purchase from Massachusetts and the
Seneca Indians.
In the attempt of feeble colonies to throw off oppression
there was work to be done in council as well as in the field — at
the financier's desk as well as in the more conspicuous conflicts
of arms. If raw troops called from the field and workshop
were to be enrolled and disciplined, upon a sudden emergency
provisions were to be made for their equipment and sustenance ;
J^oth were tasks surrounded with difficulty and embarrassment;
both required men and minds of no ordinary cast. Fortun-
ately they were found. Washington was the chief, the leader
RoiiKki' MORRIS — i:aki.n I. hi:. 53
of our armies, the master-spirit that conducted the stru<j^le to
glorious termination. Morris was the financier. The}' were
heads of co-ordinate branches in a i^reat crisis, and e(|uall}- well
performed their parts.
Robert Morris was born in Lixerpool, in 1733. His father
emif^rated to the United States in 1745, and settled at Port
Tobacco, in Marylanci, en<^af^intr extensively in the tobacco
trade.
Previous to the death of his father, Robert Morris had been
placed in the counting-house of Mr. Charles Willing, an
eminent merchant of Philadelphia, where he soon acquired a
proficiency in mercantile afTairs that recommended liim as a
partner of the son of his employer.
When the first difficulties occurred between the colonies and
the mother countr}-, though extensively engaged in a mercan-
tile business that was to be seriously affected by it, he was one
of other patriotic Philadelphia merchants who promoted and
signed the non-importation agreement, which restricted com-
mercial intercourse with Great Britain to the mere necessaries
of life.
When the news of the Battle of Lexington reached Philadel-
phia, Mr. Morris was presiding at a dinner usuall}^ given on the
anniversary of St. George. He participated in putting a stop
to the celebration in honor of an English saint, and helped to
upset the tables that had been spread. His resolution was
fixed ; it was one of devotion to the cause of the colonies, and
well was it adhered to.
In 1775 and '76, he w^as a Member of Congress, and became
a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
When Washington had re-crossed the Delaware for the
second time, in December, 1777, the time of service of nearly
all the Eastern troops had expired. To induce them to engage
for another si.x weeks, he promised a bounty of ten dollars
each, and for the necessary funds applied to Mr. Morris. In
the answer of Mr. Morris accompanying the sum of fifty
thousand dollars, he congratulated the Commander-in-Chief
upon his success in retaining the men, and assured him that
" if farther occasional supplies of money are wanted you may
depend upon m)' exertions either in a public or private capacity."
54 ELECTED MEMISER OF (( ).\( IRESS.
In March, 1777, he was chosen, with l-5enjamin Franklin and
others, to represent the Assembly of Pennsylvania in Congress,
and in November following was associated with Mr. Gerry and
Mr. Jones to repair to the army and confidentially consult with
the Commander-in-Chief upon the best plan of conducting the
Winter campaign.
In August, 1778, he was appointed a member of the stand-
ing Committee of Finance.
The years 1778 and '79 were the most distressing periods of
the war. The finances were in a wretched condition, and Mr.
Morris not only advanced his money freely, but put in requisi-
tion an almost unlimited individual credit.
In 1781 (a period of despair), in addition to other contribu-
tions of money and credit, Mr. Morris supplied the almost fam-
ishing troops with several thousand barrels of flour. This timely
aid came w^ien it was seriously contemplated to authorize the
seizure of provisions wherever they could be found ; a measure
which would have been unpopular with the whole country, and
probably turned back the tide of public feeling flowing in favor
of the Revolution.
There is upon record a long catalogue of transactions simi-
lar to those which have been related. Not only the Comman-
der-in-Chief but Generals of divisions found Mr. Morris the
dernier resort when money and provisions were wanted. To
private means, which must have been large, and a large credit,
he added astonishing faculties as a financier. When he had
no other resources, he would compel others to use their money
and credit. In financial negotiations, with him, to will a thing
was to do it.
He was appointed to the office of Financier, or what was
equivalent to the now office of Secretary of the Treasury.
Never, perhaps, in any country, was a minister of finance placed
over a treasury, the conditions of which were worse. To use a
phrase of the play-house, it was
" Beggarly account of empty boxes."
It had not a dollar in it and was two millions and a half in debt.
Those who have seen Gen. Washington's military journal of the
first of May, 1781, can form some idea of the condition of the
army and the finances'.
Ai'i'oiN ii:i) iiN.\\( ii;r. 55
It was the proxincc of Mr. Morris to financier for Con<^rcss
and a coiintr\- and cause in such a crisis. He be<^an by restor-
in<;' credit and estabHshin^' confidence; promuli^ated the assur-
ance that all his official enL^a^ements would be punctuall)' met,
and j)ut in rccjinsition his ])ri\'ate means, the means of his
friends, to fulfill the promises he iiad held out. When apprised
of his ap|)ointment to the manat^ement of financial affairs, he
replied : " In acceptini;; the office bestowed upon me, I sacrifice
much of m\- interest, my ease, nn- domestic enjo\-ment and
internal traiK[uilit)'. If I know m}" own heart, I make these
.sacrifices with a disinterestetl \iew to the ser\ice of m\- countr\-.
I am willing to go further, and the United States ma)' com-
mand everything I have e.Kcej)t my integrity, and the loss of
that would efTectualh' dissable me from serving them more."
Among his financial expedients to resuscitate public credit, was
the establishment of the Bank of North America. Collateral
security was given for the ])erformance of engagements of the
institution, in f(M-m of bonds, signed by wealth}- individuals.
Mr. Morris heading the list with a subscription of iJ"io,000.
In a private interview with Washington, the subject of an
attack on New York was broached. Mr. Morris dissented,
assuming that it would be too great a sacrifice of men and
mone)- ; that the success of the measure was doubtful; that
even if successful the triumph, as to results, would be a barren
one ; the enemy having command of the sea could, at anytime,
land fresh troops and re-take it, &c." A.ssenting to these objec-
tions, the Commander-in-Chief said : " What am I to do? The
country calls on me for action ; and moreox-er, m\- arm}- cannot
be kept together unless .some bold enterprise is undertaken."
To this Mr. Morris replied: "Why not lead \-our forces to
Yorktown ? There Cornwallis ma}' be hemmed in b}- the
French fleet b}' sea and the American and French armies by
land, and will ultimately be compelled to surrender." " Lead
ni}- troops to Yorktow n I" said Washington, appearing sur-
prised at the suggestion, " How am I to get them there ? One
of my difficulties about attacking New York arises from the
want of funds to transport them thither. How, then, can I
. muster the means that will be requisite to enable them to march
to Yorktown ?" " You must look to me for funds," rejoined
56 MORRIS AND HANCOCK.
Mr. Morris. ''And how are you to provide them ?" said Wash-
ington. " That," said Mr. Morris, " I am unable at this time to
tell you, but I will answer with my head, that if you will put
your army in motion, I will supply the means of their reaching
Yorktown." After a few minutes reflection, Washington said:
"On this assurance of yours, Mr. Morris, such is my confidence
in your ability to perform any engagement you make, I will
adopt your suggestion."
When the army arrived at Philadelphia Mr. Morris had the
utmost difificulty in furnishing the supplies he had promised,
but at last he hit upon the expedient of borrowing twenty
thousand crowns from the Chevalier de Luzerne, the French
Minister. The Chevalier objected that he had only funds
enough to pay the French troops, and could not comply unless
two vessels with specie on board for him arrived from France.
Fortunately, about the time the troops were at Elk, preparing
to march to Yorktown, the ships arrived, the money was pro-
cured and especial pains taken to parade the specie in open
kegs before the army. The troops were paid, and cheerfully
embarked to achieve the crow^ning triumph of the Revolution.
John Hancock, President of Congress, writing to Mr. Mor-
ris in a severe crisis of the Revolution, says: " I know, how-
ever, you will put things in a proper way ; all things depend
upon you, and you have my hearty thanks for your unremitting
labor." Gen. Charles Lee said to. him in a letter, when he
assumed the duties of Secretary of an empty treasury: " It is
an office I cannot wish you joy of ; the labor is more than her-
culean ; the filth of that Augean stable is, in my opinion, too
great to be cleared away even by your skill and industry."
During the Revolution, the commercial house in which he
continued a partner, was prosecuting a successful business.
The close of the Revolution must have found him in possession
of immense wealth, exceeding by far that of any individual cit-
izen of the United States. But he was destined to a sudden
reverse of fortune. There followed the revolution a mania for
land speculation. Mr. Morris participated largely in it, in-
vesting in large tracts of wild land as they came into market
in different parts of the United States, realizing for a time vast
profits up(^n sales. A reaction ensued, which found him in
ii.i.-iouruNK AM) i»i;.\iii. 57
possession of an immense landed estate, and lart^ely in debt
for purchase money. Trom the opulence we ha\e been speak-
ing of, he was reduced to poverty ; and ultimately some mer-
ciless creditors made him for a long time the tenant of a
prison.
Upon Mr. Morris had devolved the financiering for our coun-
try in a period of peril and embarrassment. When the army
of Washington, unpaid, were lacking food and raiment, mur-
muring as they well might be, it was his purse and credit that
more than once prevented its dispersion and the failure of the
glorious achievement of independence. His ships were upon
the ocean, his notes-of-hand forming a currency, his drafts hon-
ored everywhere among capitalists in his own country and in
many of the marts of commerce in Europe.
A reverse of fortune occurred, which is saddening to those
who are now enjoying the blessings to which he so eminently
contributed, and who wish that no cloud had gathered around
the close of his useful life.
Mr. Morris died at Morrisiana, N. J., Nov. 6, 1806, aged sev-
enty-three years.
Makv Jemison.
In the Summer of 1755, during the P^rench and Indian wars,
Mary Jamison's father's house, situated on the western frontier
of Pennsylvania, was surrounded by a band, consisting of six
Indians and four Frenchmen. They plundered and carried
away whate\-er the)' could that was \'aluable, and took the
whole family captive, with two or three others, who were stay-
ing there at the time. They were all immediately hastened
away into the wilderness, murdered and scalped, with the
exception of Mary and a small boy, who were carried to Fort
Du Quesne. Little Mary was there given to two Indian sisters,
who came to that place to get a captive to .supply the place of
a brother that had been slain in battle. They took her down
the Ohio to their home, and adopted her as their sister, under
the name of Dehhewamis — a word signifying " a beautiful girl."
The sorrow and regret which so sudden and fearful a change in
her condition produced, gradually yielded under the influence
of time ; and she began to be quite reconciled to her fate.
58 MARY JEMISOX AND INDIAN SISTERS.
when an incident occurred, wliich once more revix'cd her hopes
of being redeemed from captivit}- and restored to her friends.
When Fort Pitt fell into the possession of the British, Mary
was taken with a part)^ who went there to conclude a treaty of
peace with the English. She immediately attracted the notice
of the white people, who showed great anxiety to know how
one so young and delicate came among the savages. Her
Indian sisters became alarmed, and fearing that they might lose
her, suddenly fled away with her, and carried her back to their
forest home. Her disappointment was painful and she brooded
over it for many days, but at length gained her usual cheerful-
ness and contentment. As soon as she was of sufficient age,
she was married to a young Delaware Indian named Sheninjee.
Notwithstanding her reluctance at first to become the wife
of an Indian, her husband's uniform kind treatment and
gentleness, soon won her esteem and affection, and she says:
" Strange as it may seem, I loved him ! " and she often spoke
of him as her "kind husband." About 1759, she concluded to
change her residence. With a little child, on foot, she traveled
to the Genesee river, through the pathless wilderness, a distance
of near six hundred miles, and fixed her home at Little Beard's
Town. When she came there, she found the Senecas in alliance
with the French ; they were making preparation for an attack
on Fort Schlosser ; and not a great while after, enacted the
tragedy at the Devil's Hole. Some time after her arrival, she
received intelligence of the death of her husband, Sheninjee,
who was to have come to her in the succeeding Spring. They
had lived happily together, and she sincerely lamented his
death. When the war between England and France ended,
she might have returned to the English, but she did not. She
married another Indian, named Hiakatoo, two or three years
after the death of Sheninjee. When General Sullivan invaded
the Genesee country, her house and field shared a common fate
with the rest. When she saw them in ruins, with great energy
and perseverance, she immediately went to making prepara-
tion for the coming W^inter. Taking her two youngest children
on her back, and bidding the other three follow, she sought
Till': (;.\Ri)i;.\i' ki':sKk\Ari()\. 59
cniploynicnt. She found an ()j)|)()rlunit\- to husk corn, and
secured in tliat way t\\ent\'-fi\'e busliels of slielled corn, which
kept tliem through the Winter.
After the close of the Revolution, slie obtained the ^rant of
a lar^^e tract of huul, called the " Gardeau Reservation," which
was about six miles in length and five in breadth.
In 1 83 I, preferrin<^ to i)ass the remainder of her da}'s in the
midst of those with w^hom her youth and middle age had been
spent, she sold the rest of the land at Gardeau Flats, purchased
a farm on the BufTalo Reservation, where the Senecas, among
whom she had li\ed, had settled some five years j^revious. She
passed the remainder of her days in peace and Cjuietness,
embraced the Christian religion, and on the 19th of Sept., 1833,
ended a life that had been marked by vicissitudes such as it is
the lot of but few to experience.
6o ■ PREPARATIONS OF WAR.
CHAPTER X.
WAR OF 1812-15— CAMPAIGN OF 1812.
War Declared — Troops Called For — Colonel Swift — First Detachment of Mili-
tia— Council with the Indians ■ — Excitement, Bustle, Confusion and
Flight —Active Preparations on the Canada Side — General Brock — Fear
of the Indians — The Caledonia and Detroit — The Defeat of General
Van Rensselaer— General Smyth and His Failures — Disgust of the Sol-
diers and the Public.
After a debate of several days" duration, an act declaring
war against Great Britain was passed by Congress, and was
approved by the President on the i8th of June, 1812. On the
19th the President issued a proclamation declaring that war
existed between the United States and Great Britain and her
dependencies.
Congress authorized the President to enlist 25,000 men for
the regular army, to raise a force of 50,000 volunteers, and to
call out 100,000 militia.
On the 17th of May, Colonel Swift, of Ontario county, came
to Buffalo to assume command on the frontier. On the i8th,
the first detachment of militia marched through that village on
their way to Lewiston. They were from the south towns, and
were commanded by Major Benjamin Whale}'.
On the 26th of May, Indian-Superintendent Granger held a
council with the Chiefs of the Six Nations of Indians, living on
this side of the Niagara. He did not seek to enlist their ser-
vices in the war, but urged them to remain neutral. To this
they agreed.
On the 23d of June, Colonel Swift, whose headquarters were
at Black Rock, was in command of 600 militia ; besides there
was a small garrison of regulars at Fort Niagara. There was
no artillery except at the fort.
The preparations for war on the other side were somewhat
better, there being six or seven hundred British regulars along
the Niagara and a hundred pieces of artillery.
. On the morning of the 26th of June, a small vessel, which had
just left Black Rock, was noticed entering Lake Eric b\' some
\.\\ ri;nssi;i,.\i;r iaki^s ((i.m.m.\m». 6i
of the citizens of Buffalo, aiul preseiitK' a British armed xx-ssel
from Fort Kric was seen makint^ its \va\- toward the /Vmerican
ship. The hitter was soon overtaken and boarded, and then
both vessels turned their prows toward the British stron<^hold.
The vessel was captured, and a few hours later an express-rider
from the east arri\'ed bearing the President's proclamation of
war. The Canadians had received the news the earliest. The
express-riders spread the news as they passed upon the main
roads; thence it spread rapidh' in every direction from settle-
ment to settlement.
The usual avocations of life w ere temporarily suspended ;
here and there in all the detached neighborhoods were small
collections of citizens deliberating and consulting upon meas-
ures of safety, defense or flight. Many made hasty prepara-
tions and were soon on their wa\' seeking asylums beyond the
Genesee river. Many families who left, returned after a few
weeks' absence. All was bustle and confusion ; soldiers were
mustering, volunteers and drafted militia were marching to the
frontiers from the back settlements in small squads and larger
companies. By the 4th of July, the aggregate militia force
upon the frontier was about three thousand. Soon after the
declaration of war, Gen. William Wadsworth, of Geneseo,
assumed command. On the 28th of July, the command
devolved upon Gen. Amos Hall, of Ontario count}', and on the
I ith of August upon Major-General Van Rensselaer, of Albany
(these were not officers of the regular army but of the New
York State militia). General Van Rensselaer established his
headquarters at Lewi.ston.
War preparations were as active in Canada as upon this side
of the lines. The militia in the Upper Province were ordered
out en masse. P"ort Erie was put in repair; a redoubt was
thrown up opposite Black Rock, a battery erected at Chippewa
and another below the falls ; defences were also erected on
Oueenston heights directly opposite Lewiston village, and Fort
George was strengthened. One of the incipient steps in Canada
was to secure the services of the Indians in the Pro\-ince. This
had been too long a favorite policy of England to be aban-
doned. General Brock, the acting Governor of the Province,
assumed the immediate command of the troops.
62 CAPTURE OF BRITISH VESSELS.
After the first turmoil and bustle were over, there succeeded
comparative quiet — weeks and months of inactivity upon the
lines. The usual avocations were partially resumed in the
settlements, though frequently disturbed by militia drafts and
harrassing, unfounded rumors of actual or contemplated incur-
sions of the British and Indians.
There was little real cause for anticipating danger of this
nature, for the preparations on the other side were wholly
defensive, and the state of alarm among the inhabitants there
was as great as here. Among the inhabitants on each side
of the lines there was mutual fear of invasion.
One of the most fruitful sources of apprehension and alarm
in the earlier stages of the war was the fear that the Seneca
Indians would become allies of the British and Canadian
Indians. Their neutrality, however, was early secured by a
talk in council. This position of neutrality, taken in the first
stages of the war, was not long maintained. The Senecas
rightly determining their true position and interests, soon
became fast friends of the United States, and useful armed
allies. On the 8th of October, a detachment of sailors arrived
on the frontier from New York, and were placed under the
command of Lieut. Jesse D. Elliott, stationed at Black Rock.
Two British armed vessels, the brig Detroit and the schooner
Caledonia, had just come down the lake, and were at anchor
near Fort Erie. About one o'clock, on the morning of the 9th
of October, three boats put out from the American shore with
their prows directed toward Fort Erie. The first contained
fifty men under Lieutenant Elliott in person ; the second forty-
seven, under Sailing-Master Watts, while the third was manned
by six Buffalonians under Dr. Chapin. The boats moved
stealthily across the river in the darkness. Arriving at the side
of their prey, the three crews boarded both vessels almost at
the same time. In ten minutes, the enemy was overpowered,
the cables cut, and the vessels on their way down the river.
The Caledonia was brought to anchor near Black Rock, but the
Detroit was carried by the current on the west side of Squaw
island, and ran aground. The prisoners taken in this gallant
affair numbered seventy-one officers and men ; besides these,
the captors released about forty American prisoners who were
DKKKAI' Oh' \A.\ KllNSSKl.Al'.k. 63
ca])turctl at the I\i\cr Raisin, and were on their \va)' to (.)ue-
bec. This was the first hostile enterprise which took phice in
or started from Flrie count}' during- the War of 1812.
If the settlers on the Holland purchase were somewhat
cheered by the achiex-ement of Lieutenant Klliott and his com-
mand, the}' were at once cast down attain b}- the news of the
defeat of General \'an Rensselaer at Oueenston. He had col-
lected a force, i)rincipally New \'ork militia, at Lewiston, on
the Niagara ri\er. At Oueenston, on the opposite side of the
river, a British force was stationed. On the 13th of October
(ieneral Van Rensselaer crossed a force under Col. Solomon
Van Rensselaer (his nephew), and attacked the British fort and
captured it. General Brock now arriv^ed with a reinforement
of 600 men and endeavored to regain the fort, but was defeated
and killed. General Van Rensselaer hastened back to the
American side to bring over more troops, but his men refused
to obey his orders, alleging that they could not be ordered out
of the state without their consent. The British were heavily
reinforced, and the Americans were attacked and defeated, all
who crossed to the Canada side being killed or captured.
General Van Rensselaer was succeeded in command on the
Niagara frontier by Brigadier-Gen. Alexander Smyth, of the
regular army, who had been on the lines a short time as Inspec-
tor-General. Immediatel}' on taking command he began con-
centrating troops at Buffalo and Black Rock, preparatory to an
invasion of Canada. On the 1 2th of November, he issued a
flaming address to the men of New York, calling for their ser-
vices and declaring that in a few da}'s the troops under his
command would plant the American standard in Canada. A
considerable force came to Buffalo ; a brigade of militia arrived
from Pennsylvania; three or four hundred New York militia
reported themselves. Peter B. Porter was assigned to the com-
mand of these New \'ork volunteers. On the 27th of Novem-
ber the General commanding issued orders to cross the river
the next da}'. There were then about four thousand men at and
near Black Rock, but as a large portion of them were militia, it
is not certain how man}- he could ha\'e depended on to enter
the enemy's countr}-. There were boats sufficient to carry at
least 3,000 men.
64 (APTAIX KIXC; AXl) MEN TAKEN PRISONERS.
About one o'clock the next morninij two detachments were
sent across the river, one under Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler
and the other under Captain King, with whom was Lieutenant
Angus of the Navy and fifty or sixty seamen. Bcerstler
returned without accomplishing anything of consequence, but
the forces of King and Angus behaved with great gallantry.
They landed at three o'clock in the morning. Angus attacked
and dispersed a force of the enemy stationed at what was called
"The Red House," spiking two field-pieces and throwing then,i
into the river. The sailors and some of the soldiers then
returned, bringing a number of prisoners, but througli some
blunder no boats were left to bring over Captain King, who
with sixty men remained behind. King and his men then
attacked and captured two batteries, spiked their guns and took
thirty-four prisoners. Having found two boats, capable of hold-
ing about sixty men, the gallant Captain sent over his prisoners,
half his men and all his officers, remaining himself with thirty
men. He doubtless expected Smyth's whole army in an hour
or two, and thought he would take care of himself until that
time. The general embarkation commenced but went on very
slowly. About one o'clock I'. M., the regulars, the twelve-
months volunteers and a body of militia, the whole making a
force variously estimated at from fourteen hundred to two
thousand men were in boats at the navy-yard, at the mouth of
Scajaquada creek. General Smyth then ordered the troops to
disembark and dine. He then called a council of war, to see
whether he had better cross the river or not. It is not surpris-
ing that, with such a commander, several of the officers con-
sulted were opposed to making the attempt. It was at length
de'cided to postpone the invasion until more boats could be
made ready. Late in the afternoon the troops were ordered to
their quarters. The gallant Captain King was left to his fate
and was taken prisoner with all his remaining men.
The next day was spent in preparation. On Sunday, the
30th, the troops were ordered to be ready to embark at nine
o'clock the following morning. General Porter advocated post-
poning the expedition till Monday night, when the troops
should embark in the darkness and land about five miles below
the navy-yard, where the stream and the banks were favorable.
CF.NKKAI. SMVTIl'S RESICXATION. 65
These views were seconded by Colonel Winder and adopted
by General Smyth, his intention being to assault Chipi)ewa and
march through Oueenston to Fort George.
Then it was found that the Quarter-Master had ncjt rations
enough for two thcnisand five hundred men for four days. Never-
theless, the embarkation commenced at three o'clock on Tues-
day' morning. Again some fifteen hundred men were placed in
boats. It was arranged that General Porter was to lead the
van and direct the landing, on account of his knowledge of the
river and the farther shore.
Hut the embarkation of the regulars was greatl}' delayed and
daylight appeared before the flotilla was under way. Then the
redoubtable Smyth called another council of war, composed of
four regular officers, to decide whether Canada should be in-
vaded ihat season. They unanimously decided it should not. So
the *'fH>»ps were again ordered ashore and the militia and most
of th^' volunteers sent home, and the regulars put into winter
quarters.
The breaking up of the command was attended by scenes of
the wildest confusion ; four thousand men firing off their guns,
cursing General Smyth, their officers, the service, and every-
thing connected with their military experience. The disgust
of the public was equally great. Smyth became the object of
universal derision. The mere fact of his twice waiting till his
men were in boats for the purpose of invading Canada before
calling a council of war to decide whether Canada should be
invaded, showed him to be entirely deficient in the qualifica-
tions of a general.
On the 22nd of December, Smyth resigned his command to
Col. Moses Porter, and retired to Virginia on leave of absence.
Before his leave expired. Congress legislated him out of office.
4
66 ARRIVAL OF PERRY.
CHAPTER XI.
CAMPAIGN OF 1813.
Arrival of Captain Perry, of the Navy — Fitting out a fleet — General Dearborn
in command of the northern frontiers — Toronto captured— Fort George
evacuated by the British — Americans occupy it — Americans occupy the
whole Canadian side of the Niagara — Fortifying in Holland, Hamburg
and Boston — Chapin's gallant exploit — The Senecas take part in the war
— Battle at Black Rock, the British defeated — Perry's victory on Lake
Erie — Harrison's victory on the Thames — General McCiure — Fort
Niagara captured — General Hall.
Early in March, Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry, of the United
States Navy, a young man twenty-six years of age, of hand-
some features and gallant bearing, arrived in Buffalo from the
East, and after a brief stay, went forward to Erie to superin-
tend the fitting out of a naval armament there. During the
Winter, the Government had purchased a number of merchant
vessels, for the purpose of converting them into men-of-war,
and the construction of several new ones had been begun.
Erie, from its comparatively secure harbor, had been selected
as the naval headquarters.
Five vessels, however, were fitted out in Scajaquada creek,
and for several months Perry flitted back and forth between
the two places, urging forward the work.
In the fore part of April, soldiers began to arrive on the
frontier. On the 17th of that month, Major-General Lewis
and Brigadier-General Boyd arrived in Buffalo to assume com-
mand according to their respective ranks. General Dearborn
took cominand on the n'hole northern frontier. The British
force on the other side of the Niagara was very weak.
The campaign in the north was commenced by an expedi-
tion from Sacket's Harbor, under General Dearborn and
Commodore Chauncy, by which York (now Toronto) was cap-
tured b\- a dashing attack, the gallant General Pike being killed
by the explosion of the enemy's magazine. This triumph pre-
vented the sending of re-enforcements to the British forts on
AMERICANS OCCUPY FORT GEORGE. 67
the Niai^ara. and when our fleet appeared off Fort George,
about the 25th of Ma)', it was immediately evacuated. The
Americans, under General Lewis, crossed and occupied it.
The same day, the commander at Fort Erie received orders
under which he kept up a heavy cannonade on Black Rock
until the following morning, when he blew up his magazines,
destroyed his stores, and dismissed his men. All other public
stores, barracks, and magazines, from Chippewa to Point Abino,
were likewise destroyed. Lieutenant-Colonel Preston, the
commandant at Black Rock, immediately crossed over and
took possession. So at length the Americans had obtained
possession of the Canadian side of the Niagara, and it would
not seem that it need to have been difficult to retain it.
But the lack of success in this respect, and in fact the greater
part of the disasters of the war of 1812, were attributable no
doubt to the blundering of the Government, the weakness of
the Commanders, to loose dicipline and to the excessive short
term of service of the drafted men and volunteers. As a gen-
eral rule, if a volunteer of 18 12 stayed on the line three months
he thought he had done something wonderful.
In the fore part of 18 13, the inhabitants on the upper part
of Cazenova creek combined and built a stockade of consider-
able magnitude, on the farm of Arthur Humphrey, in Holland.
About the same time Captain Bemis' barn, in Hamburg, was
surrounded by a similar stockade. There was also a block-
house built in that vicinity. Job Palmer's barn, in Boston, was
likewise stockaded, and there may have been other fortifica-
tions of the kind in the county.
On the 23d of June, 18 13, a force of Americans started up
the river from Fort Geoi-ge. It consisted of four or five hun-
dred regular infantr\-, twenty regular dragoons and Chapin's
company of forty-four mounted riflemen, the whole under
Lieutenant-Colonel Bctrstler. On the 24th, when nine miles
west of Queenston at a place called Beaver Dams, it was
attacked by a force of British and Indians. After some skir
mishing and marching, accompanied with slight loss, the assail,
ants sent a flag to Colonel Bcerstler, and on the mere statement
of the bearer that the British regular force was double the
American, besides 700 Indians, that officer surrendered his
68 SIX NATION INDIANS ENROLLED.
whole command. Chapin and his Erie county volunteers were
sent to the head of Lake Ontario (now Hamilton), whence the
Colonel, two officers and twenty-six privates were ordered to
Kingston by water, under guard of a Lieutenant and fifteen
men. They were all in two boats. When about twenty miles
out on Lake Ontario Chapin and his comrades arose, captured
the guard and rowed them to Fort George and delivered them
as prisoners to the commandant. The British men-of-war still
commanded the lake. About the 15th of June the five vessels
which had been fitted up in Scajaquada creek, stole out of
Black Rock and joined Perry at Erie.
The Queen Charlotte and other British vessels, this year as
last, hovered along the lake shore and occasionally sent a boat's
crew ashore to depredate on the inhabitants of Hamburg and
Evans.
In the earl}' part of July, a skirmish took place near Fort
George, in which an American Lieutenant and ten men were
captured, who were never heard of more, and were supposed to
have been slain by the savages. Then General Boyd accepted
the services of the warriors of the Six Nations. Those then
enrolled numbered 400, and there were 550 in the ser\'ice in all.
General Dearborn had withdrawn all the regular soldiers from
Buffalo and Black Rock, leaving a large amount of public stores
entirely undefended. Being advised, however, of the danger
of a raid, he ordered ten artillerists to be stationed at the block-
house at Black Rock, and called for 500 militia from the
neighboring counties. Between a hundred and fifty and two
hundred of these arrived at the threatened point earl}- in Jul)-,
and were stationed at the warehouses at Black Rock, being
under the command of Maj. Parmenio Adams, of Genesee
County. They had three pieces of field artillery and near by
was a battery of four heavy guns. Nearly a hundred recruits
for the regular infantry and dragoons on their way to Dear-
born's headquarters, under Captain Cummings, were ordered
to stop at Buffalo. Judge (Granger was directed to engage as
many Seneca warriors as he could, and General Porter who
was then staying at his residence at Black Rock, was requested
to take command of the whole. By the loth of July Judge
Granger had received such positive information of an immediate
GENERAL PORTER's ESCAPE. 69
attack, accompanied by sjiccial threats a^^ainst himself, that
he iinited some Indians to come to his house north of the
Scajaquada creek. Thirt\'-seven of them arrived at II o'clock
that (Saturday) ni<^dit under the lead of I^\'u-mer's Brother. As
the\- were not all armed, and as the Judt^e was confident that
the enemy would be over the next day, he sent to the village
and yot a full supply of arms and ammunition for his braves
that niL^ht. The British headcjuarters were at Lundy's Lane,
close by the Falls, where their expedition was fitted out. The
commander was Lieutenant-Colonel Bishop. He had under
him a part of the forty-first regiment of the British army, and
a detachment of Canadian militia, commanded by Colonel
Clark. They took boat at Chippewa, on the night of the loth,
and after rowing against the current in the darkness several
hours, landed just after daylight a mile below the mouth of the
Scajac]uada. Forming his men, Colonel Bishop led them
rapidl)^ up the river bank. There was a single sentinel at the
Scajaquada bridge ; he flung away his musket, dodged into the
woods, and took a bee-line for Williamsville. Major Adams'
men attempted no resistance, but fled. General Porter had
barely time to escape from his house, and without his arms.
The victors, supposing no resistance would be made, set to
work burning the block-houses and barracks, while the ofificers
ordered breakfast at General Porter's. But a storm was gather-
ing. When the militia first began to retreat, a messenger was
sent to Buffalo, on whose arrival. Captain Cummings mustered
his recruits and marched towards the scene of action. On his
wa)' he met (General Porter, who ordered him to proceed to a
piece of open ground not far from the site of the reservoir,
and await re-enforcements.
Taking a horse, sword and other eciui{)ments from one of
Cumming's dragoons, the general galloped down to the village,
where he found everything in confusion ; the women and
children in a state of terror, and the men in the streets with
arms in their hands, but doubtful whether to fight or flee.
Being assured there was a chance of success, forty or fifty of
them formed ranks under Caj)tain Bull, the commander of the
Buffalo volunteer company, and marched to join Cummings.
About a hundred of the retreating militia had been kept
70 farmer's brother and his warriors.
together by Lieutenant Phineas Staunton, the adjutant of the
battalion. Meanwhile, Major King, of the regular army, who
was accidentally at Black Rock, on seeing the sudden retreat of
the militia, hurried through the \\-oods to Judge Granger's
(who lived beyond Cold Springs, on Main street), \\hence the
alarm was speedily carried to the scattered inhabitants of
" Buffalo Plains." F"armer's Brother at once gathered his war-
riors and made them a little speech, telling them that they
must now go and fight the red-coats ; that their country was
invaded ; that they had a common interest with the people of
the United States, and they must show their friendship for
their American brethren b}' deeds, not words. The old chief-
tain then led his little band to join his friend, General Porter.
Volunteers, too, came hurrying to the village from the Plains
and Cold Springs, until about thirty were gathered, who were
placed under the command of Capt. William Hull, of the militia.
General Porter now felt able to cope with the enemy.
Bringing together his forces, numbering but about three hun-
dred all told, at the open ground before-mentioned, he made
his dispositions for an attack. As the foe held a strong
position at Major Adams' encampment. Porter determined to
attack him on three sides at once, to prevent the destructive
use of artillery on a column in front.
The regulars and Captain Bull's Buff volunteers formed the
center. The Genesee militia, under Staunton, were on the left.
Captain Hull's men and the Indians were in the woods on the
right front. Farmer's Brother and his braves prepared for
action ; they cjuickly ranged themselves in line with their chiefs,
a few yards in front. At eight o'clock the signal for attack was
given. The militia, gallantly led on by Staunton, and ashamed
of their recent flight, dashed forward against the enemy. A
fight of some fifteen or twenty minutes ensued, in which the
militia stood up against the British regulars without flinching.
The right flank of the Americans came up ; the Indians raised
the war-whoop and opened fire. Colonel Bishop was severely
wounded, and fell from his horse ; his men became demoral-
ized, and when the regulars appeared in front, the enemy fled
towards the water's edge. The whole American force then
pressed forward together, the Indians making the forest resound
GENERAL WILKINSON TAKES COMMAND. 7 1
with Scivage yells. The chief, Younc^ ^i'li^- 'intl another warrior
were wounded. Part of the British wounded were carried off,
but part were left on the field.
.\t the Black Rock landing, the British rallied, but on the
approach of the Americans, hastily retreated into some boats
which they found there, leaving fifteen prisoners in the hands
of their pursuers. Many were killed and wounded after enter-
ing the boats, but tlie chief loss fell on the last one. It contained
sixty men and most of the officers, including Colonel Bishop,
who, notwithstanding his wounds, had insisted on remaining to
the last. The whole American force came up to the bank and
opened fire on this boat inflicting terrible injury. Two or three
Indians even sprang into the water, siezed the boat by the gun-
wale and endeavored to direct it ashore, but were compelled
to desist by the fire of their friends in the rear. Captain
Saunders, of the British Forty-first, was severely wounded at
the water's edge and left a prisoner. Colonel Bishop was pierced
with several bullets, receiving wounds of which he died, and
several other ofificers were killed or wounded. The enemy were
said at the time to have acknowledged a total loss in killed,
wounded and prisoners of nearly a hundred. The Americans
lost three killed and seven wounded.
The militia were in the front of the fray throughout, and
gallanth" retrieved their tarnished reputation. Their good
conduct was doubtless due largely to the example of Adjutant
Staunton, who also distinguished himself on several other oc-
casions in tlie war of 1812. All accounts speak in high terms
of the conduct of the Seneca warriors. iMthough the numbers
engaged in this affair were not large, it was cjuite an exciting
conflict, and is of importance as showing the value of one or
two resolute ofificers, in rallying and inspiriting a body of raw
troops, utterly demoralized by less ef^cient leadership.
Just before this event. General Dearborn had resigned the
chief command on the northern frontier, and soon after General
Wilkinson was appointed in his ])lace. General Porter and
Colonel Chapin gathered up another bod\' of volunteers and
went down to Fort (ieorge, taking a hundred or so Indians
with them.
A plan was concerted to cut off one of the enemy's pickets
72 PERRY AND HARRISON S SUCCESS.
on the morning of the 17th of August, Chapin and Porter went
out west from Fort George for the purpose. A heavy rain re-
tarded their progress, so the picket was not captured, but a fight
ensued in wliich the volunteers and Indians captured sixteen
prisoners and killed a considerable number of the enemy who
were left on the field. Chapin and his volunteers and most of
the Indians continued to operate in the vicinity of Fort George
until the 7th of September, when they returned to Buffalo.
A few days later came the news of " Perry's Victory" on
Lake Erie, which caused great rejoicing among the people.
Immediately succeeding Perry's victory, came that of Harrison
over Proctor and Tecumseh. It being supposed that the upper
peninsula was pretty well cleared of foes, General Wilkinson's
forces were nearly all withdrawn to the lower end of Lake
Ontario.
The force left behind by Wilkinson, was under the command
of Gen. George McClure, of Steuben county, a brigadier-
general of the New York militia, who made his headquarters
at Fort George. On the 6th of October, Colonel Chapin had an
all-day skirmish with some British outposts near Fort George.
On the 24th of October, Harrison and Perry with their vic-
torious army and fleet, came down the lake to Buffalo. On
the 25th a dinner was given to the two commanders at " Pome-
roy's Eagle." The next day Harrison and his army crossed
the river and went down to Fort George and thence in a short
time to Sackett's Harbor. General McClure was thus left with
about a thousand militia, two hundred and fifty Indians and
sixty regulars. The terms of the militia were fast expiring, and
they would not stay a day longer.
Another draft was ordered about the middle of November
of six hundred men from Hopkins' brigade, under Lieutenant
Colonel Warren. These marched to Fort George and remained
nearly a month.
When the term of Warren's regiment was about to expire,
McClure determined to abandon Fort George. In this he was
unquestionably justifiable, as his remaining force would have
been entirely inadequate to defend it. But he, at the same
time, took a step cruel in itself and fraught with woe
to the American frontier. He ordered the burning of the
CAl'TURK OK FDRl" \lA(,.\kA.
/J
lloun'sliin^" xilla^c of Newark, situated close to the fort aiul
containin<^ about one hundred and fift\' liouses. 'Ilie inhabit-
ants were turned out in the snow, and the torch ai)j)hed to
every buildini;" in tlie phice. McClure nio\ed tlie remnant of
his force across tlie river, closely ])ressed b}- the enrai;ed British,
leavin<^ Fort Niagara defended by a hundred and fift)' ret^ulars,
he called two hundred others from Canandaigua to Buffalo
On the morning of December 19th, h\^rt Niagara was surprised
and captured by a small British force through the criminal
negligence of its commander, who was at his residence four
miles away.
Before leaving Buffalo, McCIure called out the men of Gen-
esee, Niagara and Chautauqua counties en masse, and on arriving
at Batavia, on the 22d of December, he turned over the com-
mand to Major General Hall, the commander of this division
of militia. That ofificer who manifested no lack of zeal,
sent forward all the troops he could raise and proceeded to Buf-
falo himself, on the 25th, leaving McClure to organize and for-
ward r e i n f o re e m e n t s .
74 I'RErARATIOXS FOR DEFENSE.
CHAPTER XII.
BURNING OF BUFFALO.
Number of Troops — The Enemy's Approach — Movements in Defense — Attack
and Repulse — Battle of Black Rock — The Retreat — The Flight — Univer-
sal Confusion — The Indians — Chapin's Negotiation — Mrs. St. John — The
Village in Flames - Murder of Mrs. Lovejoy — The Enemy Retire - The
Slain — Calvin Cary^McClure to Blame — The Flight in the Country —
The Buffalo Road— The Big Tree Road— Exaggerated Reports — Return
of the British- — More Burning — The Scene at Reese's — Building Relief.
On the 27th of December, General Hall reviewed the forces
at Buffalo and Black Rock, \\hich were thus described in his
report. At Buffalo there were a hundred and twenty-nine
mounted volunteers under Colonel Broughton, of Ontario
county, four hundred and thirty-three Ontario county volun-
teers under Colonel Blakeslie, one hundred and thirty-six Buf-
falo militia under Colonel Chapin, ninety-seven Canadian vol-
unteers under Colonel Mallory, and three hundred and eighty-
two Genesee county militia under Major Adams. At Black
Rock there were three hundred and eighty-two under Colonel
Warren and Churchill, thirty-seven mounted men under Captain
Ransom, eighty-three Indians under Colonel Granger, one piece
of field artillery under Lieutenant Seeley. The aggregate
force at both places according to the re[)ort was about seven-
teen hundred. Colonel Warren lived in Aurora and his regi-
ment was from the south towns of Erie county. On the 29th,
there arrived a regiment of Chautaucjua count}' militia under Col-
onel McMahan, numbering about three hundred men, bringing
the aggregate force to about tw^o thousand.
Besides Seeley's field-piece, there were seven other cannon
at the two villages, but none of them mounted on carriages.
Several of them were in a battery at the top of the hill over-
looking Black Rock, and with them was May Dudley with a
part of Warren's regiment ; the rest, \\ ith Churchill's detach-
ment, were in the Village of Black Rock. >\bout midnight of
the 29th, a detachment of the enemy landed a little below
r.HNKRAi, iiAi.i, ()KI)i;rs ax at tack. 75
Scajaquada creek. The news was at <Jiice carried to Colonels
Warren antl Cluircliill at IMack Rock, and tlien to (ieneral Hail
at Buffalo. Tiie i^eneral ordered out his men, but,fearinir tliat
the enemy's movement was a feint, and that he would land in
force above Buffalo and march down, he did not send an\- con-
siderable force down the river. Colonels Warren and Churchill
endeavored to reach Scajaquada creek before the invaders and
hold it ai^ainst them, but the J-^ritish arri\'ed there first and got
possession of the bridge. Warren and Churchill deemed it
impracticable to dislodge the enemy in the darkness but deter-
mined to take a position at a small run between the village and
the bridge, and there oppose his further advance. The enemy
did not advance, but in the course of an hour or so Colonel
Chapin arri\-ed with a body of mounted men, and delivered
General Hall's order that they should immediately make an
attack. Chapin led the way, Warren and Churchill followed.
All was silent as death. Suddenly from the darkness flashed
a volley of musketry almost in the faces of the head of the
column. They instantly broke and fled, rushing back through
the ranks of Warren's men, who became utterly demoralized
withcHit receiving a shot. As the horsemen stampeded through
them they broke up, scattering through the woods or retreat-
ing toward Buffalo. Warren retired to the main battery to
endea\'or to ralh' some of the fugitives ; Churchill, with at
least part of his men, remained below the village. When
General Hall received news of this failure, he ordered Major
Adams, with his Genesee militia, to march against the enemy.
This movement was equally futile. The general then ordered
Colonel Blakeslie, with his Ontario County militia to ach'ance
to the attack. Hall then gathered his remaining forces and
started for Black Rock. .Vs he approached that village the
day began to dawn, and he discovered the enemy's boats cross-
ing the river in the direction of General Porter's house.
Blakeslie's command was ordered to meet the approaching
force at the water's edge. That force consisted of the Ro}'al
Scots under Colonel Gordon, and was estimated at four hun-
dred men. The invasion was under the general superintendence
of Lieutenant-General Drummond, but the troops were under
the immediate command of Major-General Riall. The artillery
76 THE AMERICAN RETREAT.
in battery fired on them as they advanced, and Blakeshe's
men opened fire when they landed. They returned it, and a
battery on the other side sent shells and balls over their heads
among the Americans. For half an hour, the forest and river-
side re-echoed with the thunder of artillery and ceaseless rattle
of small arms.
All accounts agree that Blakeshe's men did the most of the
fighting, and sustained the attack of the Ro\'al Scots with con-
siderable firmness. Had all the regiments been kept together,
and met the enemy at his landing the result might have been
far different.
Meanwhile, the hostile force at Scajaquada creek, consisting
of regulars and Indians, moved up the river, easily dispersing
Churchill's meagre force, and marched against Blakeshe's right.
It is not believed there were then over six hundred men in our
ranks, and these thus assailed on two sides were entirely unable
to maintain their ground. Large numbers were already scat-
tered through the woods toward home, when General Hall
ordered a retreat, hoping to make another stand at the edge of
Buffalo. This, as might be supposed, was utterly hopeless ;
once the men got to running, there were few that thought of
anything else. In a few moments all were in utter route. A
part hurried towards Buffalo ; others rushed along the Guide-
board road (North street) to Hodge's tavern, and thence took
the Williamsville road, while many fled through the woods
without regard to roads of any kind. Fugitives were rushing
through Buffalo and striking out for Williamsville, Willink or
Hamburgh. The Buffalo volunteers came hurrying up to take
care of their families. They declared that the Americans were
whipped, that the British were marching on the town, and,
most terrible of all, that the Indians were coming. Then all
was confusion and dismay. Teams w^ere at a premium ; horses,
o.xen, sleighs, sleds, wagons, carts — nearly everything that had
feet, wheels or runners, were pressed into service. Many who
neither had nor could obtain teams, set forth on foot. Men,
women and children by the score were seen hastening through
the light snow and half-frozen mud in the bitter morning air
up Main street, or out Seneca, or up the lake shore.
A crowd of teams and foot-men, and foot-women too, were
THE FLAG OF TRUCE. T"]
hurr\-in<4" up Main street, when suddenlx' tlie head of a cohinm
stopped and sury;ed back on the rear. " I'he Indians I" was the
cr\- from the front, "they are coming" up the Guide-board road."
\\\.\c\< down Main street rolled the tide. Teams were urged to
their utmost speed and people on foot did their best to keep
u[j with them. Turning down Seneca street, the crowd sped
on, some going straight to the Indian village and thence across
the reservation to Willink, others making for I'ratt's ferry and
thence up the beach to Hamburg.
There was good reason for the sudden retreat of the Main
street fugitives. While the main bod\' of the enem\' marched
along Niagara street, the Indians on the left pressed up the
"Guide-board road" (North street). Here it was that Job
Hoysington, a resolute volunteer, said to his comrades, with
whom he was retreating, that he would have one more shot at
the red-skins, and in spite of remonstrance waited for that pur-
pose. He doubtless got a shot at them, but they got a shot at
him too, as he was found with a bullet through his brain. His
wife waited for her husband's return at their residence at the
corner of Main and Utica streets, and finally set out on foot
with her children. She was soon overtaken by two cavalrymen,
who took two of the little ones on their horses. For a long time
she did not hear of them, but at length discovered them, one in
Clarence and one in Genesee county. (Many interesting inci-
dents of a similar nature might be mentioned, but for want of
space they are omitted.)
As the British came u[) Niagara street, se\'eral men, appar-
ently without any organization, manned an old twelve-pounder
mounted on a pair of trucks at the junction of Main and Niag-
ara streets, two ^^\■ three shots were fired and then it was dis-
mounted.
Colonel Chai)in then \\ent forward with a white handkerchief
tied to his cane, as a flag of truce, asked a halt, which was
granted, and began a parley. In a statement published by
himself shortly after, he speaks of "attempting a negotiation,"
claiming that while this was going on the people had a chance
to escape.
The Indians came to Main street before the I^ritish troops
which were draw n up near the corner of Morgan, Mohawk and
78 THE FIRE — KILLED AXD WOUNDED.
Niagara streets. The savages had apparent!}- full license to do
what the\- pleased in the way of plundering, though some
British officers went ahead and had the casks of liquor .stove in
to prevent their red allies from getting entirely beyond control.
Presently flames burst forth from the houses in the main part
of the village near the corner of Main and Seneca .streets. A
Lieutenant with a squad of men went from house to house
applying the torch. By 3 o'clock in the afternoon all of the
lately flourishing village of Buffalo, save some six or eight
structures, was smouldering in ashes. What few houses there
were at Black Rock were likewise destroyed, and the enemy
then retired across the river. The foe took with them about
ninety prisoners, of whom eleven were wounded. Forty of the
ninety were from Blakeslie's regiment. Besides these a con-
siderable number of American wounded were able to escape —
probably fift}' or sixt}-. Forty or fifty were killed ; most of
them lay on the field of battle, but some were scattered through
the upper part of the village. Among the slain the officer of
the highest rank was Colonel Boughton, of Avon. In Erie
county, reckoning according to present division of towns, the
killed were Job Noysington, John Roop, Samuel Holmes, John
Trsket, James Nesbet, Robert Franklin (colored), Mr. Myers
and Mr. Lovejoy, of Buffalo ; Robert Nilland, Adam Lawfer,
of Black Rock ; Jacob Vantine, Jr., of Clarence ; Moses Fenno,
of Alden ; Israel Reed, of Aurora; Newman Baker, Parle}^
Moffat and William Cheeseman, of Hamburgh and Ea.st Ham-
burgh; Maj. William C. Dudley, and probably Peter HofTman,
of Evans, and Calvin Cary, of Boston.
Calvin Cary, oldest son of the pioneer Deacon Richard Cary,
though only twenty-one years of age, was a man of gigantic
stature and herculean strength, weighing nearly three hundred
pounds. Pursued by three Indians, he shot one dead, killed
another with his clubbed musket, but was shot, tomahawked
and scalped b}- the third. His broken musket, which was found
by his side and testified to his \'alor, is still preserved b)' his
kindred.
During all that day (the 30th of December), the road through
Williamsville and Clarence was crowded with a hurrying and
heteroijcnous multitude — bands of militiamen, families in
THE ENEMY RETIRES. 79
sleighs, women dri\in^ ox-sleds, men in watj^ons, cavalrymen on
horseback, women on foot bearing infants in their arms and
attended by crying- children — all animated by a single thought,
to escape from the enemy and especially from the dreaded
Indians.
On the Big Tree road (running cast through Hamburg and
Aurora to the Genesee river) the scene was still more diversi-
fied, for in addition to the mixed multitude which poured along
the northern route, was the whole bod}' of Indians from the
Ruffalo reservation. Mr. Turner, the author of the " Histor\-
of the Holland Purchase," then a youth residing in Sheldon,
Wyoming county, gives the following picture of the scene from
personal recollection :
" An ox-sled would come along bearing wounded soldiers,
whose companions had perhaps pressed the slow team into their
service ; another \\-ith the family of a settler, a few household
goods that had been hustled upon it, and one, two or three
wearied females from Buffalo, wdio had begged the privilege of
a ride and the rest that it afforded ; then a remnant of some
dispersed corps of militia with the arms they had neglected to
use ; then squads and families of Indians, on foot and on pon-
ies, the squaw with her papoose on her back, and a bevy of
juvenile Senecas in her train. Bread, meats and drinks soon
\'anished from the log taverns on the routes, and fleeing set-
tlers divided their scanty stores with the almost famished that
came from the frontiers."
When it was found that the enemy had retired, curiosit}-
induced many men from the nearest towns to visit the ruins.
Others went to render what assistance the\- could, and still
others, alas, to take advantage of the unixersal confusion and
purloin whatever might have been left by the invaders. A few-
went on the 31st of December, more on the ist of Januar\-.
On the former day everything was quiet, (^n the latter, as
the few remaining citizx-ns and some fron-i the country were
staring at the ghastly ruins, a detachment of the enemy sud-
denl}- appeared, making prisoners of most of them. They then
fired all the remaining buildings except the jail, which would
not burn, Reese's blacksmith shop and Mrs. St. John's cottage.
A day or two after the second raid the people assembled and
8o RELIEF FOR THE SUFFERERS.
picked up the dead bodies and brou<^ht them to Reese's bhick-
smith shop. The number is variously stated, but the most
careful account makes it forty-two killed, besides some who
were not found (Hoysington was not found until Spring), and
some prominent persons like Colonel Boughton, who were taken
care of earlier. At the shop they were laid in rows, a ghastly
display, all being frozen stiff and most of them stripped and
scalped. After those belonging in the vicinit}' had been taken
away by their friends, the rest were deposited in a single large
grave in the old burying ground on Franklin Square (where the
city and county buildings now are), covered only with boards,
so they could be easily examined and taken away.
On the 6th of January, just a week after the main conflagra-
tion, William Hodge brought his family back, it being the first
that returned ; Pomeroy came immediately afterwards and
raised the first building in the new Village of Buffalo. Soldiers
were stationed in the village and as time wore on people began
to feel more safe ; but the Winter was one of intense excite-
ment and distress. Twice during the Winter, small squads of
the enemy crossed the river but were driven back by the
soldiers and citizens without much fighting. Most of the
people who came back had nothing to live on save what was
issued to them by the commissary department of the army.
The suffering would have been even greater than it was had
not prompt measures of relief been taken by the public author-
ities and citizens of more fortunate localities. The legislature
voted $40,000 in aid of the devastated district, besides $5,000
to the Tuscarora Indians, and $5,000 to residents of Canada,
driven out on account of their friendship for the United States.
The city of Albany voted $1,000, and the city of New York
$3,000. The citizens of Canandaigua appointed a committee
of relief who raised a considerable amount there and sent com-
munications soliciting aid to all the country eastward. They
were promptly responded to, and liberal contributions raised
throughout the state. With this aid, and that of the Commis-
sary department, and the assistance of personal friends, those
who remained on the frontier managed to live through the
woeful Winter.
AUKi\Ai. <)i' \viMn:i.i) scorr. 8i
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814.
Soldiers' Graves — Scott and Brown — Discipline at Buffalo— The Death Penalty —
Capture of Fort Erie — Approaching Chippewa — An Indian Battle — A
Retreat — \'ictory — Scalps — Advance to Fort George — Return— Lundy's
Lane — Retreat to Fort Eric — Bridgewater — Battle of Conjockety Creek —
Assault on Fort Erie — The Explosion — Call for Volunteers— The Res-
ponse— The Sortie — Gallantry of the Volunteers — General Porter
— Peace.
As Spring approached, the frontier began to revive. More
troop.s appeared, and their presence caused the paying out of
considerable sums of money among the inhabitants. There
was a ready market for produce at large prices.
Williamsville was the rendezvous for the troops. There was
a long row of barracks, parallel with the main street of that
village and a short distance north of it, and others used as a
hospital, a mile or so up the F],leven-Mile creek.
Near these latter, and close beside the murmuring waters of
the stream, rest several scores of soldiers who died in that
hospital, all unknown, their almost imperceptible graves
marked onl}' by a row of ma])les, long since planted b)' some
reverent hand.
On the lOth of .April there arrived on the frontier a state!}'
young warrior, whose presence was alread)' considered a har-
binger of victory, and whose shoulders had latel)' been adorned
by the epaulets of a brigadier-general. This was W'infield
Scott, then thirt\' \-ears old, and the hcau ideal of a gallant
soldier.
Immediatel}- afterwards came his superior officer, Major-
General Brown, who had been rapidl}' advanced to the highest
rank, on the strength of the vigor and skill he had shown as a
commander at the foot of Lake Ontario.
Bodies of regular troops and some \olunteers continued to
concentrate at Williamsville and Buffalo. Scott removed his
headquarters to the latter place toward the last of May, where
5
82 THE PENALTY OF DESERTION.
the troops were encamped amid the ruins. Great efforts were
made to introduce rigid discipHnc. The men were under con-
.stant drill, and desertion was mercilessly punished.
Among the reminiscences of that era, no scene appears to
have been more vividly impressed on the minds of the relators
than the one which was displayed near the present corner of
Mar}'land and Sixth streets, on the 4th of June, 18 14.
I'^ive men, con\-icted of desertion, knelt ^\'ith bandaged eyes
and pinioned arms, each with an open coffin before him and a
new-made grave behind him.
Twenty paces in front stood a platoon of men, detailed to
inflict the supreme penalty of military law. The whole arm}^
was drawn up on three sides in a hollow square, to witness the
execution, the artillerymen standing by their lighted matches,
ready to suppress a possible mutiny, while Generals Brown,
Scott and Ripley sat upon their horses, surrounded by their
brilliant staffs, looking sternly on the scene. Then the
firing party did their deadly work, four men fell in their coffins
or their graves, but one youth under twenty-one was unhurt.
He sprang up, wrenched loose his pinioned arms, and tore the
bandage from his eyes. Two men advanced to extinguish the
last remains of life in those who had fallen.
He supposed they were about to dispatch him, and fell
fainting to the ground.
He was taken away without further injury. Doubtless it
had been determined to spare him on account of his \'outh,
and therefore his supposed executioners had been furnished
with unloaded muskets.
The work of preparation went forward not very rapidl}-.
On the 28th of June a statement appeared in the Gazette that
the rumors of an immediate advance which had been in circula-
tion were not true, and that the transportation of the army
was not ready. This was not inserted by order, for on the 3rd
of Jul\- the advance began. Brown's force consisted of two
brigades of regulars, under Generals Scott and Ripley, and one
of volunteers under General Porter. This was composed of
five hundred I'enns)-lvanians, six hundred New York xolun-
teers, all of whom had not arrived when the movement began,
and near!)' six hundred Indians.
SliRRKNDKR Ol' llli: FORT. J^3
Six huiulrcd was almost the entire strength of the Six
Nations, and these liad been L^atliered from all reser\'ations in
Western New \'ork. It is i)robable that the i,n-eat a^c of Far-
mer's Brother prevented him from crossini^. Actinij^ as a pri-
\ate in the ranks was Red Jacket, the i)rincii)al and leader of
the Six Nations, who, notwitlistandin^^ the timidity usually
attributed' to him, was unwilling' to stay behind Avhile""his
c<Hmtr}-men were winning;' i^"lor\' on the field of carnage.
Col. Robert P'lemini;- was (|uartermaster of this peculiar bat-
talion.
Fort Erie was garrisoned b}- a hundred and se\'enty l^ritish
soldiers. The main bod}' of the enemy was at Chippewa, two
miles above the falls and eighteen miles below the fort.
On the 2nd of July, Brown, Scott and Porter reconnoitred
Fort P^rie and concerted the plan of attack. Riple}', with a
part of his brigade, was to embark at Buffalo in the night and
land a mile up the lake from the fort. Scott, witli his brigade,
was to cross from l^lack Rock, and land a mile below Fort Erie,
which, in the morning, both brigades were to invest and
capture.
Scott and Ripley both started at the time appointed, but as
in most military operations depending on concert of action be-
tween separate corps, there was a difificulty not foreseen. Rip-
ley's pilot was misled b\- a fog on the lake and his command
did not land until several hours past time. Scott, however,
cro.s.sed promiUl}- and was able to invest the fort with his brigade
alone. At sunrise the artillery and Indians crossed at the fer-
ry, and after some parle>-ing the fort surrendered, without
awaiting an attack.
The afternoon of the ^rtl, Scott marchetl sexeral miles down
the Niagara, and on the morning of the 4th, drove in the
enemy's advanced posts. He was followed by Brown and Rip-
ley, and both brigades established themselves on the south side
of Street's creek, two miles south of Chippewa. On the left,
three-fourths of a mile from Niagara, was a dense and some-
what swampy forest on both sides of Street's creek, extending
to within three-fourths of a mile of Chippewa creek, which was
bordered for that purpose by a level cleared plain. On the
north side of that creek, the British arm\'la\- inlrcnclud. The
84 ADVANCING TOWARD THE ENEMY.
two armies were concealed from each other's sight by a narrow
strip of woodhind, reaching from the main forest to ^\•ithin
a hundred yards of the riv^er bank.
During the night of the 4th, the Americans were much an-
noyed by Indians and Canadians lurking in the forest, who
drove in their pickets and threatened their flanks.
Late that night General Porter crossed the river with his
Indians and Pennsylvanians, and in the morning marched to-
ward Chippewa. He was met on the road by General Brown,
who spoke of the manner in which he had been annoyed by
lurkers in the forest, and proposed that Porter should dri\'e
them out, declaring confidently that there would be no
British regulars south of the Chippewa that da)\ Still, he said,
he would order Scott to occupy the open ground beyond
Street's creek in support of Porter. The latter accepted the
proposition of his chief, and at three o'clock started to put it
in execution.
The Indians assumed their usual full battle-dress, of mantur-
nipline, breech-clout, moccasins, feathers and paint, and the war-
chiefs then proceeded to elect a leader. Their choice fell on
Captain Pollard, a veteran of Wyoming and man}^ other fights.
Porter left two hundred of his Pennsylvanians in camp, think-
ing their presence needless, and formed the other three hun-
dred into one rank on the open ground, half a mile south of
Street's creek, their left resting on the forest. The whole five
or six hundred Indians were also formed in one rank in the
woods, their right reaching to the left of the whites. General
Porter stationed himself between the two wings of his com-
mand, with Captain Pollard on his left. He was also attended
by two or three stafT ofTficers, by Hank Johnson, the interpreter,
and by several regular officers, who had volunteered to see the
fun. Ked Jacket was on the extreme left of the Indian line.
A company of regular infantry followed as a reserve. The war-
chiefs took their places twenty yards in front of their braves,
and a few scouts were sent still further in advance.
Then, at a given signal, the whole line moved forward, the
whites marching steadily \\ith shouldered arms on the plain, the
naked Indians gliding through the forest with cat-like treatl,
their bodies bent forward, their rifles held ready for instant
rXDlAX M.Wd'.UVRINC. 85
use, their feathers nocUlini; at every step, their fierce eyes
llashiiiL;- in every direction. Suddenly one of the cliiefs made
a sii,mal, and tlie whole line of painted warriors sank to the
i^round as quickly and as noiselessly as the sons of Clan Alpine
at the command of Roderick Dim. This manceuvre was a jKirt
of their primitive tactics, and the chiefs rapidly assembled to
consult over some rei)ort broui^ht back by a scout. At another
sit;nal the warriors spranc;- up and the feather-crested line
again moved through the forest. The manctuvre was repeated
when the scouts brought back word that the enemy was await-
ing them on the north bank of Street's creek, General Porter
was informed of this fact and made some slight changes in his
arrangements, and again the line advanced with increased speed.
As the Indians approached the creek, they received the fire
of a force of British Indians and Canadians stationed there.
They instantly raised a war-whoop that resounded far over the
Niagara, and charged at the top of their speed. The foe at
once fled. The Iroquois dashed through the little stream and
bounded after them, whooping, yelling, shooting, cleaving sculls
and tearing off scalps like so many demons. Many were
overtaken, but few captured. Occasionally, however, a Seneca
or Cayuga would seize an enemy, unwind his maturnipline, bind
him with surprising quickness and then go trotting back to the
rear, holding one end of the maturnip as a man might lead a
horse by the halter.
Such speed and bottom were displayed by the Indians that
neither the regulars nor volunteers were able to keep up with
them. For more than a mile the pursuit was maintained in the
words of General Porter, " through scenes of frightful havoc."
At length the Indians who had got considerable in advance,
emerged upon the ojien ground three-quarters of a mile from
Chippewa creek, where they were received with a tremendous
fire from the greater part of the British regular army, draw-n in
line of battle on the plain.
It looked as if General Riall had determined to attack the
Americans, and had sent forward his light troops to bring on a
battle, expecting, probably, that the whole American force
would get exhausted in pursuit, and become an easy prey to his
fresh battalion.
86 f]j-:ei\(; ix confusion.
The fact that the pursuit was carried on by the American
h'l^ht troops and Indians alone broke up, and, in fact, reversed
this programme. The warriors c|uickl\' fled from the de-^truct-
ive fire in front.
General Porter, supposing that it came from the force they
had been pursuing, rallied the greater part of them, formed
them again on the left of his volunteers and moved forward to
the edge of the woods. Again the long red-coated battalions
opened fire.
The volunteers stood and exchanged two or three volleys
with them, but when the enemy dashed forward with the bay-
onet, Porter, seeing nothing of Scott with the supports, gave
the order to retreat.
Both whites and Indians fled in the greatest confusion. On
came the red-coats at their utmost speed, supposing they had
gained another easy victory, and that all that was necessary
was to catch the runaways.
The Indians being the best runners and unencumbered with
clothing, got ahead in the retreat as they had in the advance,
but the whites did their best to keep up with them. The flight
continued for a mile, pursuers as well as pursued becoming
greatly disorganized, and the speed of the fugitives being acceler-
ated by the constant bursting of shells from the enemy's artillery.
Approaching Street's creek, Scott's brigade was found just
crossing the bridge and forming line. They took up their posi-
tions with the greatest coolness under the fire of the British
artillery, but Porter claimed that through the fault of either
Scott or Brown, they were very much behind time.
The former General was always celebrated for his prompt-
ness, and the fault, if there was one, was probabh' with Brown.
Perhaps he didn't expect Porter's men to run so fast, either
going or coming.
The result, however, was as satisfactory- as if this precipitate
retreat had been planned to draw forward the foe. Ripley's
brigade was at once sent off to the left, through the woods, to
flank the enemy. The fugitives as they ran also bore to the
w estward, and Scott's fresh battalion came into line in perfect
order, making somewhat merry over the haste of their red and
white comrades.
TiiK Kn.i.ED AND \V( )r M )i:i ). 87
Some of ihc Iiulians had taken tlicir sons, from twelve to
sixteen years old, into battle to initiate them in the business of
war. One of these careful fathers was now seen running at his
best speed, with liis son on his shoulders. Just as he passed
the left flank of Scott's brigade, near where the General and
his stafT sat on their horses, superintending the formation of
the line, a shell burst directly over the head of the panting war-
rior. " Ugh," he exclaimed in a x'oice of terror, bounding sev-
eral feet from the ground. As he came down he fell to the
earth, and the lad tumbled off. Springing up, the older Indian
ran on at still greater speed than before, leaving the }'oungster
to pick himself up and scamper away as best he might. The
scene was greeted with a roar of laughter by the young ofificers
around Scott, who rebuked them sharply for their levity.
In a few moments they had plenty of serious work to occupy
their attention. The Americans reserved their fire till the
encm\- was within fift\- }'ards, when they poured in so deadly
a voile}' that the British instantly fell back. They were quickly
rallied and led to the attack, but were again met with a terrific
fire, under which they retreated in hopeless disorder. Scott
pursued them beyond the strip of woods before mentioned,
when the}' fled across the Chippewa into their intrenchments
and tore up the bridge, Scott's brigade then lay down on the
open plain north of the woods.
By order of General Brown, who was in the midst of the
fight. Porter took his 200 reserve Pennsylvanians to the left of
Scott's brigade, where they, too, lay down under the fire of the
l^ritish artiller}'.
After a while Ripley's brigade came out of the woods cov-
ered with mud, having had their march for nothing, as the
enemy they had attempted to flank had run away before their
flank could be reached. It not being deemed best to attack
the foe in his intrenchments, directl}- in front, the Americans
returned at nightfall to their encampment.
The battle of Chippewa w;is the first, during the war of 1812,
in which a large body of British regulars were defeated in the
open field, and the Americans w ere immensely encouraged by
it. Enlistment thereafter was much more rapid than before.
The total British loss, as officially reported, was 514, of whom
88 INDIANS RETURNING To TIIKIK HOMES.
between one and two hundred were found dead on the held by
the victors. About two hundred and fifty were taken prison-
ers, mostly wounded. The Americans had about fifty killed, a
hundred and forty wounded and a few taken prisoners. The
number of American re<^ulars engai^ed was 1,300. General
Porter estimated the British regulars in the fight at 1,700.
The Canadian Indians were so roughh' handled that they fled
at once to the head of Lake Ontario, and ne\'er after took any
part in the war.
On the 7th of July, the 600 volunteers frtmi Western New
York joined Porter's brigade, I have found no account of how
they were organized nor of the localities from which they came.
On the 8th, Ripley's brigade and these New York volunteers
forced a passage of the Chippewa, three miles up, quickly driv-
ing back the force stationed there. General Riall, finding
himself flanked, destroyed his works and retreated rapidly to
Oueenston and then to Fort George. Brown pursued and took
up his quarters at Oueenston, but did not deem his force suffi-
cient either to assault or besiege the fortress.
On the 1 6th, Porter's brigade skirmished around the fort, to
give the engineers a chance to reconnoitre, but nothing came
of it.
Meanwhile, the British received reinforcements and Brown
determined to return to Fort Erie. Riall followed. Before
arriving at the Falls, most of the Indians, through the arrange-
ment of Red Jacket, obtained permission to retire to their
homes, agreeing to return if the British Indians should again
take the field. But the latter were perfectly satisfied with
that terrible cirubbing in the Chippewa woods, and never again
appeared in arms against the Americans. Nevertheless, some
forty or fifty of our Indians remained with the army through-
out the campaign.
On the 25th of Jul}', Brown's ami)' encamped near Chippewa
creek. Riall was pressing so closely on the American rear that
Brown sent back Scott's brigade to check him. Scott met the
enemy at l^ridgewater, just below the P"alls ; sending back word
to his sujierior, the impetuous Virginian led his columns to the
attack.
For an hour a desperate battle raged between Scotts single
CAI'TUKK OK MAJOR ( il'.MlKA I, KIAI.l.. 89
bi'ii;a(.lc aiul Riall's army, neither Ljainini; an\' decided advan-
tai4'e. At the end of that time and but a h'ttle before niL;lit,
l^rown arrived with the brii^ades of Ripley and Porter.
Determinini^" to interpose a new Hne and diseni^a^e Scott's
exhausted men, he ordered forward the two fresh brigades.
The enemy's line was then near " Lundy's Lane," a road run-
ninij^ at right anii^les with the riv^er, wliich it reaches a short
distance below the h^alls. Mis artillery was on a piece of risini^
y^round which was the key t)f the position.
Colonel Miller commanding a regiment of infantr)-, was
asked by Brown if he could ca})ture it. "I can try, sir!"
was the memorable response of the gallant officer.
Though the regiment which should have supported Miller's
gave way, yet the latter moved steadily up the hill. Increas-
ing its pace, it swept forward, while its ranks were depleted at
every step, and, after a brief but desperate struggle, carried the
heights and captured the hostile cannon at the point of the
bayonet. At the same time, Major Jessup's regiment drove
back a part of the enemy's infantry, capturing Major-General
Riall, their commander, and when General Ripley led forward
his reserve regiment the l^ritish fell back and disajjpeared from
the field.
It was now eight o'clock and entirely dark. In a short time
the enemy rallied and attempted to regain his lost artillery.
Seldom, in all the annals of war, has a conflict been fought
under more strange and romantic circumstances. The dark-
ness of night was over all the combatants. A little way to the
northeastward rolled and roared the greatest cataract in the
world^wonderful Niagara. Its thunders subdued, yet dis-
tinct, could be heard whenever the cannon were silent. And
there in the darkness upon that solitary hillside, within sound
of that mighty avalanche of water the soldiers of the young
republic, flushed with the triumph w hich had given them their
enemy's battle-ground antl cannon and commander, calmly
awaited the onslaught of Mnglaml's defeated but not disheart-
ened veterans.
At half-past eight the .Americans saw the darkness turning
red, far down the slope, and soon in the gloom were dimly
outlined the advancing battalions of the foe. The red line
QO AMERICANS RK'l'URNINC WITH TIIKIK TRISOXHRS.
came swiftly, silently and i^allantl)' up the hill, beneath the
banners of St. George, and all the while the subdued roar of
Niagara was rolling gently over the field.
Suddenly the American cannon and small arms lighted up
the scene with their angry glare, their voices drowning the
noise of the cataract. The red battalions were torn asunder,
and the hillside strewn with dead and dying men, but the line
closed up and advanced still more rapidly, their fire rivaling
that of the Americans, and both turning the night into deadly
day. Presently the assailants ceased firing and then with thun-
dering cheers and leveled bayonets rushed forward to the
charge. But the American grape and canister made terrible
havoc in their ranks, the musketry of Scott and Ripley mowed
them down by the score, and the sharp-cracking rifles of Por-
ter's volunteers did their work with deadly discrimination. More
and more the assailants wavered, and when the Americans in
turn charged bayonets, the whole British line fled at their
utmost speed. The regulars followed but a short distance,
being held in hand by their officers, who had no idea of plung-
ing through the darkness against a possible reserve. But the
volunteers chased the enemy down the slope and cai)tured a
considerable number of prisoners. Then the Americans
reformed their lines, and then again the murmur of the cataract
held sway over the field. Twice during the next hour the
British attempted to retake their cannon, and both times the
result was the same as that of the first effort. For two hours
after the Americans remained in line awaiting another onslaught
of the foe, but the latter made no further attempt. Having no
extra teams the victors were unable to take away the captured
guns, with one exception. Accordingly, with this single tro-
phy, with their o\\n wounded and with a hundred and sixty-
nine prisoners, including General Riall, the iVmericans at mid-
night returned to their encampment on the Chippewa. Their
loss was 171 killed, 449 wounded and 1 17 missing. I^oth l^rown
and Scott were wounded, the latter severely, and both were
removed to Buffalo.
The condition of the two armies is plainly shown by the
fact that the next day the enemy allowed Ripley to burn the
mills, barracks and bridges at Bridgewater without molestation.
I 111, i;.\rii,K OK coNjocKKrv ( ki;i;K. 91
The Americans then pursuetl their untroubled march to Vovt
Kric. On their arrixal the most of the xohmteers went lionie
havini;' served the remarkably loni^" time of three or four months.
Nevertheless they had done i^ood service and were entitled to
a rest accordin;4' to the views of volunteering;" then in voL;"ue.
The regulars had been reduced by various casualties to some
fifteen hundred men. The British, on the other hand, had
recei\-ed reinforcements, and felt themselves stroni; enough to
besiege the fort, if fort it might be called, which was rather a
partially intrenched encampment.
General Drummond's ami)- for two weeks steadily worked
their way toward the American defences at Fort Erie. These
consisted principally of two stone mess-houses and bastion
known as " Old Fort Erie," a short distance east of the river
bank, antl a natural mound half a mile south and near the lake
which was surmounted with breast-\\orks and cannon, and
called "Towson's batter}-."
Between the old fort and the batter\- ran a parapet, and
another from the old fort eastward to the river. On both the
north and west, a dense forest came within sixty rods of the
American works. The British erected batteries in the woods
on the north, each one farther south than its predecessor, and
then in the night chopped out openings through which their
cannon could play on our works. At this time the commander
at Fort Erie was in the habit of sending across a battalion of
regular riflemen every night to guard the bridge over Scaja-
quada creek, who returned each morning to the fort.
About the loth of August a heavy British force cro.ssed the
river at night at some point below the Scajaquada, and just
before daylight they attempted to force their way across the
latter stream. Their objective ])oint was doubtless the public
stores at Black Rock and Buffalo. Being opposed by the
riflemen before mentioned, under Major Lodowick Morgan,
there ensued a fight of some imi)ortance, of which old men
sometimes speak as the " l^attle of Conjockety Creek," but of
which I have found no printed record. Even the Buffalo
(hizctic of the da\' was silent regarding it, though it afterwards
alluded to Major Morgan as " The hero of Conjocket)-." The
planks of the bridge had been taken up and the riflemen lay in
92 DHUMMONl) REI'UI.SKl) THE THIRD TIMP:.
wait on the south side. When the enemy's column came up
Morgan's men opened a destructive fire. The EngHsh pressed
forward so boldly that some of them, when shot, fell into the
creek and were swept down the Niagara.
They were compelled to fall back, but again and again they
repeated the attempt, and every time they were repulsed with
loss. A body of militia, under Colonels Swift and Warren,
were placed on the right of the regulars, and prevented the
enemy from crossing farther up the creek.
Several deserters came over to our forces, having thrown
away their weapons and taken off their red coats, which they
carried rolled up under their arms. They reported the enemy's
force at seventeen hundred, but that was probably an exagger-
ation.
After a conflict lasting several hours, the enemy retreated,
having suffered severely in the fight. The Americans had
eight men wounded.
Early in the morning of the 15th of August, 18 14, the Eng-
lish attempted to carry Fort livic by storm, under cover of
darkness.
At half-past two o'clock a column of a thousand to fifteen
hundred men moved from the woods on the west against Tow-
son's Battery. Though received with a terrific fire they pressed
forward, but were at length stopped within a few )'ards of the
American lines. They retreated in confusion and no further
attempt was made at that point.
Notwithstanding the strength of this attack, it was partly in
the nature of a feint, for immediately afterwards two other
columns issued from the forest on the north. One sought to
force its way up along the river bank, but was easily repulsed.
The other, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Drummond, advanced
against the main bastion. It was defended by several heavy
guns and field-pieces, by the Ninth United States infantry, and
by one company each of New York and Pennsylvania volun-
teers. Received with a withering discharge of cannon and
musketiy, Drummond's right and left were driven back. His
center, however, ascended the parapet, but were finalK- repulsed
with dreadful carnage. Again Drummond led his men to the
charge, and again they were repulsed. A third time the
T.Rl riSII \AI,()K — DEATH OK I )kr M M( iM ). 93
unclaiintctl I'!,n<_;Hshmfn acKanccd o\'cr i^n'ound strewn thick
u ith the bodies of their brethren, in the face of flame from tlie
walls (^f the bastion, and a third time they were driven back
w ith terrible loss.
This would have satisfied most men of any nation, and one
cannot refrain from a tribute to Ent^lish valor of the most des-
perate kind, w hen he learns that Drummond again rallied his
men, led them a fourth time over that pathway of death,
mounted the parapet in spite of the volleying frames which
enveloped it, and actually captured the bastion at the point of
the bayonet.
Many American officers were killed in this terrible struggle.
Drummond was as fierce as he was brave, and was . frequently
heard crying to his men, " Give the damned Yankees no
quarter." But even in the moment of apparent victory he
met his fate — a shot from one of the last of retreatin^T Ameri-
cans laying him dead upon the ground. Reinforcements were
promptly sent to the endangered locality by Generals Ripley
and Porter. A detachment of riflemen attacked the British in
the bastion but were repulsed.
Another and larger force repeated the attack but also failed.
The Americans prepared for a third charge, and two batteries
were playing upon the heroic band of Britons.
Suddenl)- the whole scene was lighted up by a vast column
of flame, the earth shook to the water's edge, the ear was deaf-
ened by a fearful sound which re-echoed far over the river.
A large amount of cartridges stored in one of the mess-
houses adjoining the bastion had been reached by a cannon
ball and exploded. One instant the fortress, the forest, the river,
the dead, the dx'ing and the maddened li\ing were revealed
by that fearful glare ; the next all was enveloped in darknes.s,
while the shrieks of hundreds of Britons in more terrible a<Ton\'
than e\-en the soldier often suffers, pierced the murk}- and sul-
phurous air.
The Americans saw their opportunity and redoubled the fire
of their artiller)'. For a few moments the conquerors of the
bastion maintained their positions, but half their number,
including most of their officers, were killed or wounded, their
commander was slain, and the\- were da/ed and o\ erwiielmed
94 AMERICANS AflAIX VICTORIOUS.
by the calamity that had so unexpectedly befallen them. After
a few volleys they fled in utter confusion to the friendly forest.
As they went out of the bastion, the Americans dashed in,
snatching a hundred and eighty-six prisoners from the rear of
the flying foe. Besides these there remained on the ground
they had so valiantly contested, two hundred and twenty-one
English dead, and a hundred and seventy-four wounded, nearly
all in and around that single bastion. Besides these, there were
the wounded who were carried away by their comrades, includ-
ing nearly all who fell in the other two columns. The Ameri-
cans had twenty six killed and ninety-two wounded.
Seldom had there been a more gallant attack, and seldom a
more disastrous repulse. During the fight the most intense
anxiety prevailed on this side.
The tremendous cannonade a little after midnight told
plainly enough that an attack was being made. Nearly ever\-
human being who resided among the ruins of Buffalo and Black-
Rock, and many in the country around, were up and watching.
All expected that if the fort should be captured, the enemy
would immediately cross, and the horrors of the previous Win-
ter would be repeated. Many packed up and prepared for in-
stant flight. Then the explosion came, the shock startled even
the war-seasoned inhabitants of Buffalo. Some thought the
British had captured the fort and had blown it up, others im-
agined that the Americans had penetrated to the British camp
and blown that up ; and all awaited the coming of morn with
nerves strung to their utmost tension.
It was noon-day light when boats crossed the river from the
fort, and the news of another American victory was soon scat-
tered far and wide through the country.
A day or two afterwards the wounded prisoners wei'e sent to
the hospital at Williamsville, and the unwounded to the depot
of prisoners near Albany. Mr. William Hodge relates that
when the wagons filled with blistered, blackened men halted
near his father's house, the\' begged for liquor to drown their
pain, but some of the unhurt who marched on foot, were saucy
enough. Looking at the brick house rising on the ruins of the
former one, the)' declared they would burn it again within a year.
The)' could not, however, have been ver)' anxious to escape, for
(;knkka[. r.isowx kf.sumes command. 95
tlic}- were escorted b\- onl)' a \'er)- small i^^uard. Man\- of the
prisoners were Hijjjhlanders, of the Glen<,^arry regiment.
Having failed to carry the fort by assault, the Hritish settled
down to a regular siege.
Closer and closer their lines were drawn antl their batteries
erectetl, the dense forest affording every facilit)' iov uninter-
rupted api^roach. Reinforcements constantly arrived at the
I^nglish camp, wliilc not a solitar)' regular soldier was added
to the constantly diminishing force of the Americans.
B}- the latter part of August, their case had become so des-
perate that (jovernor Tompkins called out all the militia \\est
of the Genesee r// j/iasse, and ordered them to Buffalo. The}'
are said by Turner to have responded with great alacrity.
Arriving at Buffalo, the officers were first assembled and
General Porter called on them to volunteer to cross the river.
There was considerable hurrying back, but the General made
another speech, and under his stinging words most of the
officers volunteered.
The men were then called on to follow their example, and a
force of about fifteen hundred was raised.
The Forty-eighth regiment furnished one company. Colonel
Warren volunteered and crossed the river, but was sent back
with other supernumerary officers and placed in command of
the militia remaining at Buffalo.
The volunteers were conveyed across the river at night,
about the loth of September, and encamped along the lake
shore above Towson's battery, behind a sod of breast-work
hastily erected by themselves. They were commanded by
General Porter, who bivouacked in their midst, under whom
was Gen. Daniel Davis, of Le Roy. General J^rown had
resumed command of the whole American force.
At this time the enemy was divided into three brigades of
fourteen or fifteen hundred men, each one of which was kept
on duty in their batteries every three days, while the other two
remained at the main camp on a farm a mile and a half west of
the fort.
Immediately after the arrival of the volunteers, a plan was
concerted to break in on the enemy's operations b}' a sortie.
The British had openctl two batteries and were nearl)- read)-
96 MARCHING ON BA'rTF:RV NU.MHER THREE.
to unmask another still nearer and in a more dangerous posi-
tion. This was called battery " No. 3." the one next " No. 2,"
and the furthest one "No. i."
It was determined to make an attack on the 17th of Sep-
tember, before battery No. 3 could be completed.
On the 1 6th, Majors Fraser and Riddle, both of^cers of the
regular army acting as aides to General Porter, each followed by
a hundred men, fifty of each party being armed and fifty pro-
vided with axes, proceeded from the camp of the volunteers,
by a circuitous route through the woods to within a short dis-
tance of battery No. 3. Thence each detachment cut out
the underbrush so as to make a track back to camp over the
swampy ground, curving, when necessary, to avoid the most
miry places. The work was accomplished without the British
having the slightest suspicion of what was going on. This was
the most dif^cult part of the whole enterprise.
In the forenoon of the 17th the whole of the volunteers were
paraded, the enterprise was revealed to them, and a handbill
was read announcing the glorious victories won on Lake Cham-
plain and at Plattsburg a few days before. The news was jo}'-
fully received, and the sortie enthusiastically welcomed. The
volunteers not being uniformed, every one was required to lay
aside his hat or cap and wxar on his head a red handkerchief or
a piece of cloth which was furnished. Not an officer or man
wore any other head-gear except General Porter.
At noon that commander led forth the principal attacking
body from the volunteer camp. The advance consisted of two
hundred volunteers under Colonel Gibson. Behind them came
the column designed for storming the batteries, composed of
four hundred regulars followed by five hundred volunteers, all
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wood. These took the
right-hand track, cut out the day before. Another column of
nearly the same strength, mostly volunteers, under General
Davis, intended to hold the enemy's reinforcements in check and
co-operate in the attack, took the left-hand road. At the same
time a body of regulars under General Miller was concealed in
a ravine near the northwest corner of the intrenchments, pre-
pared to attack in front at the proper time. The rest of the
troops were held in reserx'c under General Riplc)-. Just after
CAPTURE ()!• THE THREE liATTERIES. 97
the main column startctl it bcL;'an to rain and continued to do
so throughout the afternoon. Tlie march was necessarily slow
along the swampy winding pathway, and had it not been for
the underbrushed tracks the columns would probably have lost
their way or been dela\x'd till nightfall.
At nearly 3 o'clock Porter's command arrived at the end of
the track within a few rods of battery No. 3, entirely unsus-
pected b)' its occupants. The final arrangements being made,
they moved on, and in a few moments emerged upon the
astonished workers and their guard. With tremendous cheer,
which was distinctly heard across the river, thoi men rushed
forward, and the whole force in the battery thoroughly sur-
prised and overwhelmed by numbers, at once surrendered
without hardly firing a shot. The attack was the signal for the
advance of Miller's regulars, who sprang up out of their ravine
and hurried forward, directing their steps toward battery No. 2.
Leaving a detachment to spike and dismount the captured can-
non, both of Porter's columns dashed forward toward the same
object, General Davis leading his volunters and co-operating
closely with Wood. They arrived at the same time as Miller.
They were received with a heavy fire, but the three commands
combined and carried the battery at the point of the bayonet.
Leaving another party to spike and dismount the cannon, the
united force pressed forward toward battery No. i. But by
this time the whole British army was alarmed and reinforce-
ments were rapidly arriving. Nevertheless, the Americans
attacked and captiu'ed battery No. I after a severe conflict.
How gallantly they were led is shown by the fact that all of
Porter's principal commanders were shot down — Gibson at bat-
tery No. 2 ; Wood while approaching No. i, and Davis while
gallantly mounting a parapet between the two batteries at the
head of his men. In the last struggle, too, General Porter him-
self was slightly wounded by a sword cut on his hand, and tem-
porarily taken prisoner, but was immediately secured b}' his
own men.
Of course in a sortie the assailants are not expected to hold
the conquered ground. The work in this case had been as
completely done as in any sortie ever made, and after battejy
No. I had been captured a retreat was ordered to the fort,
98 HONORS TO GENERAL PORTER.
where the victorious troops arri\ed just before sunset. The
loss of the Americans was sevent)'-nine killed and 214 wounded;
very few, if any, captured. Four hundred British were taken
prisoners, a large number killed and wounded, and what was
far more important, all the results of nearly two months' labor
were entirely overthrown.
So completely were their plans destro}'ed b)- this brilliant
assault that only four days afterwards General Drummond
raised the siege and retired down the Niagara. After the
enemy retreated the volunteers were dismissed with the thanks
of their commanders, having saved the American army from
losing its last hold on the western side of the Niagara.
The relief of Fort Erie was one of the most skillfully planned
and gallantly executed sorties ever made. Gen. Napier, the
celebrated British soldier and military historian, mentions it as
one of very few cases in which a single sortie had compelled
the raising of a siege.
Very high credit was given to General Porter, both for his
eloquence in engaging the volunteers and his skill in leading
them.
The press sounded his praises, the citizens of Batavia ten-
dered him a dinner, the governor breveted him a major-general,
and Congress voted him a gold medal, he being, I think, the
only ofificer of volunteers to whom that honor was awarded
during the war of 1812. The raising of the siege of P\~)rt Erie
was substantially the close of the war on the Niagara frontier.
A few unimportant skirmishes took place, but nothing that
need be recorded here.
All the troops except a small guard were withdrawn from
Fort Erie to Buffalo. It was known during the Winter that
commissioners were trying to negotiate a peace at Ghent, and
there was a universal desire for their success.
In this vicinity, at least, the people had had enough of the
glories of war. On the 15th of Januar\', 1S15, the news of the
victory of New Orleans was announced in an extra of the Buf-
falo Gazette, but although it occasioned general rejoicing, }'et
the delight was by no means so great as when, a week later, the
people of the ravaged frontier were informed of the signing of
the treaty of Ghent.
CLOSE OF TIIK WAR. 99
I'ost-ridcrs, as they dclivcrctl letters, doctors, as thev' visited
their patients, ministers, as they journej'ed to meet their back-
woods con<jre<^ations, spread everywhere the welcome news of
peace. General Nott, in his reminiscences, relates that the first
sermon in Sardinia was preached at his Jiouse by " Father
Spencer." early in 181 5. There was a large gatherint,r. The
people had heard that the good missionary had a newspaper
announcing the conclusion of peace, and the}' were, most of
them, probably more anxious to have their ho[)es in that respect
confirmed than for ought else.
h\'ither Spencer was not disposed to tantalize them, and im-
mediately on rising to begin the service, he took the paper
from his pocket, saying: "I bring you news of peace." He
then read the official announcement, and it may be presumed
that the gratified congregation afterwards listenqd all the more
earnestly to the news of divine peace, which it was the minis-
ter's especial province to deliver.
In a very brief time the glad tidings penetrated to the most
secluded cabins in the country, and all the people turned with
joyful anticipations to the half-suspended pursuits of peace-
ful life.
lOO ENTERING UPON THE HOLLAND PURCHASE.
CHAPTER XIV.
GENERAL PIONEER HISTORY,
THE EARLY SETTLERS.
As a rule, the pioneers of the Holland Purchase were men of
splendid pJiysiquc\ intelligent, self-reliant and possessed great
strength, courage and endurance, which stood them well in
hand in the herculean task they had in rescuing this fair
domain from a savage state They came of a noble race and
could trace tl^ieir lineage back to the pilgrims who landed on
Plymouth Rock, through the bloody times that tried men's
souls during the dark days of the Revolution. And they had
come here actuated in part by the same bold spirit that had
prompted their ancestors to leave the comfortable abodes of
civilization and to seek new homes in the Western world,
across three thousand miles of trackless ocean. They had left
the homes and scenes of their childhood and bid good-bye to
early associates and friends, turned their faces toward the
setting sun, and with their wives and little ones had started
forth on their long and weary journey towards their future
homes. P'or weeks and weeks they continued their course
with slow and toilsome progress, sometimes compelled to camp
in the wilderness, and cook and sleep beside some fallen tree.
And when at last arrived at their destination, within the dense
forests of the Holland Purchase, hundreds of miles away from
any city or large village, and without post offices or mails to
aid them in communicating \\\\.\\ their Plastern friends, the\'
selected lands and built their log cabins, without lumber or
nails, and entered upon a new mode of life. They had health,
strength, energy and perseverance, and soon the sound of their
axes and the crashing of falling trees were heard in every
direction. And as the great forest receded year by year before
their sturd}' blows, smiling fields of grass and grain appeared in
THE HOME OF THE I'lONEER. lOI
its stead. The loi^" cabins aiul lunels that they were com-
pelled at first to occupy, in due time gave place to commodi-
ous barns and comfortable dwellings.
And if the sons inherited the wisdom, courage and valor of
the sires, what shall be said of the daugliters? Endowed with
tile s[)irit and fortitude of the Spartan mothers, who. in times
of extremit}-, became trul\- heroic ; still possessing" the gentle-
ness, tender solicitude and undying love, that has ever distin-
guished the pure \\'oman from the sterner sex. They cheer-
fully shared all the toils, trials and dangers, incident to that
period, and they were the guardian angels that watched over
the pioneer's log cabin, ministering to him and his in sickness
and caring for their comforts in health. Their thrifty and
diligent hands, with wheel and distaff, supplied most all the
creature-comforts that were enjoyed in their humble homes.
And it was their province and mission to smooth the rugged
pathwa)' of progress ; commencing' in the great primeval forest
and in the lowly bark-covered cabins and carried forward step
by step and )'ear by year, up to its present state of luxury and
refinement, which many of them lived to enjoy. Those dear
old mothers! their useful li\es may have given them but few
opportunities for culture and accomplishments. They may
have know n but little of letters or of the sciences, but there
were two problems, that these sainted mothers had solved,
that proved a benison to those around them — i.e. a sweet accept-
ance of the life that is, and an unfaltering assurance of the life
to come. This rendered them cheerful at all times, and made
them a tower of strength in the darkest trials, and their toil-
worn hands have smoothed many a sufferer's d\-ing pillow,
and their plain manner of speech has sustained many a sinking
soul when called to meet " the hour and article of death."
The deeds of the mothers should be hallowed in memory
above all things else and ma)- (jod bless them ; for most of
them have fulfilled their mission ; and the wheels havx^ ceased
their turning, and for them the brittle thread on life's distaff has
been broken. But ne\er let the memory of them depart, in the
glitter and glow of modern days. Give them the warmest
place in your hearts, and whenever you breathe their names,
let it be in the hoh' and sacred dei)ths of affection.
I02 FORMATION OF COUNTIES AND TOWNS.
THE PIONEER SETTLER UPON THE HOLLAND PUR-
CHASE AND HIS PROGRESS.
" Through the deep wilderness, where scarce the sun
Can cast his darts, along the winding path
The Pioneer is treading. In his grasp
Is his keen ax, that wondrous instrument,
That like the talisman, transforms
Deserts to fields and cities. He has left
The home in which his early years were past,
And, led by hope, and full of restless strength.
Has plunged within the forest, there to plant
His destiny. Beside some rapid stream
He rears his log-built cabin. When the chains
Of Winter fetter Nature, and no sound
Disturbs the echoes of the dreary woods,
Save when some stem cracks sharply with the frost ;
Then merrily rings his ax, and tree on tree
Crash to earth ; and when the long keen night
Mantles the wilderness in solemn gloom.
He sits beside his ruddy hearth, and hears
The fierce wolf snarling at the cabin door,
Or through the lowly casement sees his eye
Gleam like a burning coal."
EARLV ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES AND TOWNS.
All the Colony of New York west of the river countie.s, was
nominally a tract of Albany county up to 1772. In 1784,
Tryon county, of which Erie was nominally a part, was changed
to Montgomery. In 1789, the County of Ontario was erected
from Montgomery, including all west of Seneca lake — a territory
now comprising thirteen or foui"teen counties.
The Town of North Hampton covered all the Western part
of the State. In the Spring of 1802, the County of Genesee
was erected, comprising the whole of the State west of the
Genesee river, and of a line running south from the mouth of
the Canaseraga creek to the Pennsylvania line. The Town of
North Hampton was divided into four towns; one of them was
Batavia, which contained all of the Holland Purchase. The
county seat was fixed at Batavia, a village that was to be. In
1804, Batavia was divided into four towns. The first, second
and third ranges were called Batavia; the fourth, fifth and sixth
ranges were called Willink, and the seventh, eighth, ninth and
CONCORD AND OTHER TOWNS. IO3
tciitli raiii^cs were called Erie; the reniaiiuler of the I'urcha.sc
WcsJ was called Cliautauc]ua. These raii<(es were six inilcs
wide and running- from the Pennsv'lvania line north to Lake
Ontario, about one hundred miles in lent^th. March 11, i!So7,the
Counties of Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautau(|ua were taken
from Genesee count}-.
In 1807, the Count)- of Niagara was divided into three towns.
All that pnvi north of the Tonawanda creek was called Cambria;
all the territor}- between the Tonawanda creek and the center
of the I^ufTalo Creek reservation was called Clarence; all
between the center of the Buffalo Creek reservation and the
Cattaraugus creek was called Willink.
March 20, 1812, the Town of Willink was divided into four
towns — Willink, Hamburg, Eden and Concord. The Town of
Willink then comprised the Towns of Aurora, Wales, Holland
and Colden. The Town of Hamburg comprised the present
Towns of Hamburg and East Hamburg. The To\\n of Eden
comprised the present Towns of Eden, Evans and Boston.
Concord comprised the present Towns of Concord, Sardinia,
Collins and North Collins. March 16, 1821, Concord was
divided into Concord, Collins and Sardinia. April 2, 1821,
Erie county \\as formed from Niagara, comprising all that part
of Niagara count)- K'i ng between the Tonaw^anda and Cattarau-
gus creeks. On the 24th day of November, 1852, the Town of
Shirley \\-as formed from Collins, and the next Spring it was
changed to North Collins.
I04
PIONEER SETTLERS
THE NAMES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, THE Tl ME OF SETTLEMENT AND THE
TIME OFTHE ORGANIZATION OFTHE SEVERAL TOWNS IN ERIE COUNTY.
Name ok Town.
Buffalo . . . .
Clarence . . .
Amherst. . .
*Newstead .
Hamburg....
Boston
Evans
East Hamburg
Lancaster
Aurora
Tonawanda . . .
Wales
Holland
Concord
Collins
Eden
Cheektawaga
Sardinia ....
North Collins. .
Colden
Alden
1810
1810
Brandt
West Seneca. . .
Elma
1817
1826
1827
1829
Manila
Grand Island. . .
1789
1799
1801
1802
1803
1804
1804
1804
1804
1804
1805
1806
1807
1807
1807
1808
1808
1809
I81O
Names of the FujstSettlek.s in each
Respective Town in Ekie County.
King
Cornelius Winney
Asa Ransom
John Thompson
Peter Vandeventer
■i'Dydimus Kinne}'
Charles Johnson
Joel Harvey.
\ Ezekiel Smith, David Eddy )
( and others \
James and Amos Woodward.
Jabez Warren, Taber Earle )
and Henry Godfrey \
Alex. Logan, John
and John Hershey.
Oliver Pattengil and William )
Allen \
Arthur Humphrc}^ and Ab- I
ner Cumer \
Christopher Stone and John /
Albro (
Jacob Taylor and others of I
the Quaker Mission \
Benj., Joseph and Sam'l Tubbs
Apollus Hitchcock
Geo. Richmond and Ezra Nott
I Stephen Sisson, Abram
I Tucker s
i wick
Richard Buffom
Moses Fenno
Moses Tucker
Reuben Sackett
Taber Earle
Jerry and Joseph Carpenter. . .
Unknown
and Enos South-
C 5
> «
1810
1808
1818
1823
1812
1817
1821
1850
1833
1818
1836
1818
1818
1812
1821
1812
1839
1 82 I
1852
1827
1823
1839
1851
1857
1853
1852
* Organized as Erie ; changed to Ncwstead-, 1831.
t Dydiraus Kinney was the first while settler in the South Towns ; his house stood on Jere-
miah Pierce's farm, on the left hand as you go towards While's Corners, and northwest of
the orchard on a low ridge of land in the meadow.
i:.\Ki.\' lowN ()1'I1(i;ks. 105
rilK OLD TOWN OK CONCORD.
The original Town of Concord was orL;ani/.cd b\- tlu; legis-
lature March 20, 1812. It comprised the present towns of
Sardinia, Concord, Collins, North Collins and part of Brant.
It is to be regretted that there is no record of this town in
existence. The great fire that occurred in Spring\ille in the
Summer of 1868, destroyed the old town book, and the author
has to reh' upon his menior)' of the records made in this book.
and also the recollections of the old settlers. He is certain that
the first record was, that the town meeting was held at the house
of John Albro, in the Spring of 1812 ; that Thomas M. Barrett
was chosen Supervisor, Amaziah Ashman, Town Clerk,
Solomon Field, Collector, and Jonathan Townsend, Overseer
of the Poor. The town bounds remained unchanged up to
1821 ; and the place of holding the town meetings was subject
to the will of the electors. For four or five years these meet-
ings were held at Springville, but the author learns from talking
with some of the venerable men who have a di^itinct recollec-
tion of those times, that it was once held on Townsend Hill.
After a time, quite a spirit of dissatisfaction was manifested by
those living in the east and west parts of the town, for Spring-
ville and vicinity not only monopolized the place of holding
these meetings, but it enabled them to secure also, the most of
the important offices. This led to a fusion of the electors of
the east and west parts, and upon one occasion they rallied
their forces and \'Oted the town meeting to Taylor Hollow, in
the extreme west part of the town, and from thence it was
adjourned to Sardinia, near the east bounds of the town, for
the next year. The action of the electors in carrying these
extreme measures caused those living in the central part of the
town to consent to a division, which was soon after effected.
For the first eight consecutive years after the organization of
the town, there is no evidence that there was any other man
except Thomas M. Barrett, who held the ofifice of Supervisor.
The author, in looking o\'er the first records of the Town of
Collins, bearing date 1821, finds it recorded, that a committee was
appointed "to settle with Frederick Richmond, late Supervisor
of the town," so it appears, that he at least held the office one
year. During this time he learns that John Lanton, " Gen."
I06 THE TIDE OF IMMIGRxVTION.
Knox, " Dea." Russell, and Mr. Abbey held the important
office of Commissioner of Highways; and he also learns that
Harry Sears succeeded Fields as Collector. The Justices of
the Peace, were not elected by the people, but were appointed
by the authorities at Albany.
COMING INTO THE COUNTRY — LOG HOUSES AND DUTCH
CHIMNEYS.
Most of the early settlers in these towns came from the New
England states and the eastern part of the State of New York,
but few came from New Jersey or Pennsylvania. More in pro-
portion came from Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and
Connecticut than from New Hampshire or Maine. The route
generally taken was through the Mohawk valley by Utica, Can-
andaigua, Avon and Batavia to Buffalo, then out here. Some
turned off near the Genesee river and came through on the
" Fig Tree Road," that passes through Wales, Aurora and Ham-
burg. Others turned off the main route near the Genesee and
came through by Pike and Arcade. Others again came by the
way of New York, across New Jersey and a corner of Pennsyl-
vania to the Susquehanna river, and by different routes made
their way here. Many came on foot, sometimes one alone and
sometimes two or more in compan}\ Some came with horses
and sleighs, or horses and wagons, but more came with oxen
and sleds, or oxen and wagons than any other way. It generally
took them about twenty-five days to come from the New Eng-
land states here.
" New-comers were always warmly welcomed b)' their prede-
ces.sors, partly, doubtless, from motives of kindness, and parth'
because each new arrival helped to redeem the forest from its
forbidding loneliness and add to the value of improx'cments
already made." If there were already a few settlers in the
locality, the emigrant's family was sheltered by one of them
until notice could be given of a
LOG RAISIN(;.
P'or log houses, the logs used were general!}- from eight to
eighteen inches in diameter and twelve, fourteen, si.xteen, eight-
een and twenty feet in length. It required the assistance of a
lUll.DlM. •nil'. 1.0(i CAIJIN. 107
ckjy.cii <ir more ahlc-hodicci men to put up the bod)' of such a
house, ami, at first, the country had to be scoured for many
miles to obtain that number (and sometimes half of that num-
ber had to suffice). " The hands '" were in\ited to come to
the raising;- on a specified da\' — the lo^s were cut in ad-
\ance — and were drawn to the desired spot by oxen and four
of the Iart;"est ones selectetl for the bottom logs. Four of the
most active and experienced men were chosen to cut the cor-
ners." The\- bet^an b)' cutting;" a saddle at the ends of the two
lo^q,s, a space tweKe to eii;hteen inches long, shaped like the
roof of a house. Notches to fit these saddles were cut near the
ends of two other loi;"s and then they w ere laid at right angles
upon the first two. The operation was repeated again and
again, the four axe men rising with tlie building and cutting
saddles on the top near the end of the side logs and cutting
notches in the end logs to fit them, as they were handed up to
them b\' their comrades. After the building was up five feet or
so, ropes or chains would be attached to the ends of the logs, and
the men on the building would pull while the others lifted or
pushed from below. And if they had no ropes or chains, the\'
sometimes would cut a bush ten or twelve feet high and form
a loop by withing the twigs together and slip it over the end
of the logs and pull on that. They also, sometimes, used what
was called a " horse," which was a crotched stick six feet or
more long with the crotch at the upper end, and strong pins
through the lower end to lift by.
Having arrived at the height of six or seven feet, notches
were cut on the top of the two top side logs and poles six or
seven inches in diameter laid across to serv^e as joists for the
chamber for the chamber floor. General!}' the building was
raised one, two or three tiers of logs higher than the chamber
floor. After the body of the house was raised to the required
height, sometimes rafters made of jjoles from the forest were
placed in position, and sometimes the gable ends were built up
with logs, with poles running lengthwise of the building and
about three feet apart, and fitted into them (the gables) for the
support of the roof. Most of the earliest roofs were made of elm
or other kinds of bark, laid rough side up, and held in its place by
the weight of poles resting on top of it and running lengthwase
I08 FIRE-l'LACES AND DUTCH CHIMNEYS.
of the building. Some roofs were made of " shakes, " that is,
rough shingles three or more feet long, generally made of white
ash, pine or oak. Another kind of roof was made by cutting
small-sized basswood logs the desired length and splitting them
through the center, and then digging out the inner side from
end to end. "trough fashion."' Then placing them on the roof
one-half of them with the hollowed side up. and the other half
with the hollowed side down and placed over the first in such a
manner that the water that fell on the rounding side of the top
ones would run into the grooves in the lower ones and from
there to the ground. A place for a door was then sawed out
and another for a window, and sometimes places for two win-
dows. A blanket frequently served for a door in the Summer
time the first year, and doors were sometimes made of plank or
boards split out of white ash or basswood and hewed down, and
hung on wooden hinges and held closed with a wooden latch
and catch, with a " latch-string hanging outside the door."
Sometimes they had one or more windows with four or six
lights of glass, but they were frequently compelled to use
greased paper as a substitute for glass. Floors were made of
"puncheons" split out of basswood logs and hewed down with
a narrow axe. Cook stoves had not then been invented, and
fire-places were universally used ; brick were not to be had. and
chimneys were made of stone, wood and mud. " Dutch chim-
neys " were the most common among the early settlers ; they
consisted of a stone back built up about six feet high, more or
less, and of about the same width. Instead of jams wooden
arms, either straight or curv-ing downwards, were fastened at
their lower ends into the logs on each side of the stone back,
about three feet from the floor, with their upper ends resting
against the beam overhead on which the chamber floor was
laid. On and from these arms the chimney was built up and
topped out with sticks and mortar, and when thoroughly plas-
tered from top to bottom was considered finished.
Some chimneys were built entirely of stone, and had jams to
the fire places. A pole called the " lug pole " was put into
and through all the early chimneys. It was placed directly
over the fire and five or six feet above the hearth, which was
made of flat stone. Sometimes a wooden hook from three to
4
PREPARING FOR THE FIRST CROP. 109
four feet long was hooked over the "lug pole," and which had one
or more notches near the lower end in which to hang the bails
of pots and kettles. And sometimes a chain would be used for
the same purpose, and sometimes families that could afford the
e.xpense would ha\e " trammels."' The\- were made of two
bars of iron, one thin and flat, and about two inches wide, with
the top end bent over in a half circle, so as to hook over the
"lug pole," and the remainder perforated with holes about half
an inch in diameter and two or three inches apart. The other
bar was about half an inch in diameter, with a hook at the
lower end. and an inch or two of the upper end bent at right
angles with the bod>' of the bar. and made to fit into the holes
in the flat bar so that the hook could be raised or lowered as
occasion required.
The cracks between the logs were generally chinked up with
three-cornered pieces of timber, split out of small basswood
trees, fitted in and plastered with mud both outside and inside.
Sometimes the cracks between the logs would be closed up
with moss gathered in the woods. Occasionally houses were
built with logs hewed on both sides before they were raised ;
these were called " block houses."
CLEARINi; I. AND, CHOPPING TIMBER, BURNIN(. BRUSH, LOG-
GIN(; AND LOGGING BEES.
After the pioneers had a house or shanty built, and had got
rigged up ready to commence housekeeping, the next task was
to clear some land. If the settler arrived very earh- in the
season he would be able, and generally did, clear off a small
piece in time to plant some corn and potatoes and sow some
turnips; but his greatest ambition was to get several acres
ready for Winter wheat in the Fall. To do this he worked hard,
early and late, unless interrupted b)- sickness. The first business
was to cut down the trees — in this man}- of the pioneers ac-
quired great skill : the}' would so cut and guide a tree as to
have it fall in most cases, exactly where the}- wanted it. In
cutting timber for the purpose of clearing land, several differ-
ent methods were practiced by the early settlers. One was to
cut down the trees, then trim out the tops, that is, cut off the
limbs and pile the brush into large heaps, then cut the bodies
110 BURNING A FALLOW.
up into lo^s of from twelve to twenty feet in length, depend-
ing upon the size of the trees. This method was generally
pursued when they intended to clear the land the same year.
Another method was to "windrow" the timber; this was
done by cutting all the trees on a strip of land four, live or six
rods in width so that their tops would all fall from both sides
of the strip into the center, and form a row the whole length of
the strip, while the bodies of the trees on the right hand and
left hand sides laid angling and at different angles with the
center of the row. After the trees were felled, the limbs on
the top side were generally cut off or lopped down. Windrows
were made parallel to each other and w^ere from four to six-
rods apart from center to center.
Another method of cutting timber for the purpose of clear-
ing land, was "slashing it down." This consisted simpl)' in
cutting down the trees and letting them fall in any direction
without trimming them out, or cutting up the bodies. Some-
times choppers when slashing timber down would cut what was
called a "drive" where the timber was thick and large, and the
lay of the land and the range of the trees was favorable. They
would commence at a certain point and cut all the trees partly
down for a considerable distance and sometimes over an extent
of several acres, and each successive tree was so cut that when
it fell it was so guided or drawn as surel}' to strike the next
intended tree, whether it stood straight ahead or sometimes to
the right or left. When all was ready the large tree, which for
its size and location had been selected for the "driver," was cut
and fell against the next tree and that against the second, and
the second against the third, and the third against the fourth,
and so on, until they all went thundering and crashing down
together.
After the timber on a piece of land had been cut down for
the purpose of clearing the land, and left to lay a considerable
time, it was called a " fallow," and when the brush was burned
it was called " burning a fallow." After the timber had lain a
sufficient length of time and the brush had become sufficientl}'
dry to satisf}' the owner, a day was selected when the weather
was favorable to set on fire and " burn the fallow." " Fallows"
were burned during a dry time, and on a day when the sun
J
CHOPJMN(; AXD L()(;(;iN<;. iii
shone bright, and i^encrally set from 12 to 2 o'clock V. M.
The}' wore iisuall}' set in several places about the same time ;
and presently the blaze would shoot up here and there in dif-
ferent parts all o\'er the fallow; and rapidly extendini^ and in-
creasini;" the flames would swa\' to and fro, and at times rise
nearl\- to the hei«^ht of the tallest trees ; the heat, the ^lare, the
crackling, the swaying, and the roar of the fierce and consum-
in<; flames, as witnessed at the burning' of a large "fallow"
])resented a grand and exciting scene.
Timber that was slashed or windrowed was left a year and
a half or two years or more, until it became very dry, before
the brush was burned. And sometimes the brush and timber
became so dry that when it was fired the brush was all burned
up, and a considerable portion of the timber, besides the soil
of the land being burned and materiall)' injured b)' the fire in
some instances.
After the brush had been burned on a piece of land where
the timber had been "slashed" or "windrowed" the bodies of
the trees had to be cut up the proper logging length before the
logging commenced. The bodies of the trees were generally
considerably seasoned and quite hard. A custom prevailed to
some extent with the choppers to " nigger off" the largest logs
while they were chopping up the smaller ones. It was done
in this way : Notches were cut at proper distances on top of
the large trees and places hollowed out, coals put on, a fire
started and sticks laid across at right angles with tlie log and
when the}' burned up other sticks of wood, brands or poles were
laid across, and renewed from time to time until the large logs
were burned through and off. After the fire got well started
it was not much trouble to keep it going, and a man could at-
tend to and "nigger off" twenty or thirty large logs while
he was chopping up the remaining smaller ones in the
\icinit}'.
After the brush had been burned and the trees cut into logs,
the next business in order was the logging. When the piece to
be logged was small and the pioneer owned a yoke of oxen, he
would hire or change works with two or three helpers, and if
he did //ot own a yoke of oxen he would hire or change works
with some man that did, and with two or more neighbors, and
ii2 THE LOGGING BEE.
they together would " log " about an acre a day. Sometimes
small pieces of land were so far cleared of timber as to produce
crops without the use of any team whatever. Frequently land
would be chopped and cleared by the job at a specified price
per acre. Jobs of from five to ten acres were frequently let.
and jobs of fifteen or twenty acres were let less frequently, and
occasionally, but not often, jobs of from thirty to forty acres
were cleared.
In pioneer times the practice of having "logging bees" was
quite common. When a large tract was to be logged, the
settlers for several miles around were invited to a " bee." At the
appointed time^from fifteen to thirty men would be present.
About half a dozen would bring ox teams and the balance
would be provided with hand-spikes or cant-hooks. To do the
business up properly and expeditiously it required three or four
hand-spike men to each team.
The owner of the land, or some other experienced man,
would select places to build the different heaps, and the work
began and the bee commenced.
The logs were rapidly drawn or " snaked " alongside the
heap, and then the hand-spike men quickly rolled them to the
proper place. Another and another was snaked up in rapid
succession, the handspike men being always ready to unhitch it
if it caught against a root or stump. As it tore along the
ground, the black dust flew up in every direction. Soon every
man was covered with a black coat of coal-dust and soot,
involving clothes, hands and face in " outer darkness." But
the work went on still more rapidly. The several gangs caught
the spirit of rivalry, and each strove to make the quickest trips
and the largest pile. The oxen would sometimes get as excited
as the men, and would " snake " their loads into place with
ever-increasing energy. Teams that understood their business
would ' stand quiet while the chain was being hitched, then
spring with all their might, taking a bee-line to the log heap^
and halt when they came to the right spot. Faster and faster
sped the men and teams to and fro, harder strained the hand-
spike men to increase the pile, higher flew the clouds of dust
and soot, reckless of danger, men sprang in front of rolling logs
PROCESS OF MAKINO SUGAR. [I3
or boiiiulcd over them as the}- went \\hirHn<^ amoiii;" the stumps.
Accidents sometimes happened, but it was a wonder that the
number was not increased tenfold.
As the day draws to a close a thick cloud covers the field,
through which are seen a host of sooty forms, four-legged ones
with horns, and two-legged ones with hand-spikes, pulling, run-
ning, lifting and shouting, until night descends, and the tired, yet
still excited laborers clothed in blackness, return to their homes.
If the weather was favorable, the log heaps were frequently
set on fire that evening, and, within a few hours, the thirty or
forty brightly blazing piles glimmered in the darkness and illu-
minated the heavens similar to the burning buildings of a vil-
lage or city. If left alone while burning the heaps would all
burn out in the center, leaving some parts of logs and brands
at the sides and ends that would not burn up, so it was neces-
.sary for men to go around and " put up " the heaps, that is, roll
the logs in together and throw on the brands. After the several
heaps had burned all they would, there would still be a fe\v
brands remaining, and the " fallow " had to be " branded up."
and the)' were drawn from all parts of the fallow into one or
more places and re-piled and set on fire and kept burning until
entirely consumed.
SUGAR-MAKING.
The very earliest settler followed the practice of making
more or less sugar every spring. All over the country grew the
sugar-maple and there was hardly a lot large enough for a farm
on which there was not a "sugar bush." The first thing the
pioneer had to do when preparing for sugar-making was to make
a lot of " sap-troughs," they were generally made of cucumber,
basswood, ash, butternut or cherry timber. Trees from twelve
to eighteen inches in diameter were cut down and logs from
two and a half to three feet in length cut off, and split
open through the center, then the inside portion was dug out,
leaving the sides and bottom an inch or an inch and a half
thick, and the ends two or three inches thick and each trough
large enough to hold from one to two pails full of sap. " Store
troughs," for storing sap were generally made from large cu-
cumber trees, from two to three feet in diameter and from
7
114
GATHERIN(; THE SAP.
twelve to twent}' feet in length, and it required from one to
three to each " sugar bush." Trees were tapped b)' cutting a
notch in the side of the tree inclining downwards and inwards
with a narrow axe and drix'ing a wooden spout about a foot
long into an orifice made by a tapping gauge, just below the
lower end of the notch. The sap was boiled b\- the early set-
tlers sometimes in cauldron kettles, but mostly in kettles hold-
ing fi\^e pails or three j^ails, and of smaller size generally made
of iron, but sometimes of brass. The boiling place was rigged
b}' setting two posts into the ground ten or tweh'e feet apart
SnCAR-MAKINC.
and se\-en or eight feet high with crotches at the top, and la\--
ing a strong pole into the crotches from one post to the other,
then hanging chains to the pole or hanging on large wooden
hooks with notches cut near the lower ends, in which to hang
the kettle bails. Sometimes a half dozen or more kettles of
different sizes would hang in a row, with a large log ten or'
twelve feet long, rolled up on the back side, and another on the
front side until the)' touched or nearh- touched the kettles,
then fine split wood was placed under and around the kettles
and a fire started, and shorth- the boiling would commence.
CLOSE OF THE SUGAR SEASON. II5
The sap was " gathered " or brought to the boiUng place in sap
buckets carried by the aid of a sap-yoke, wliich was made to fit
the neck and shoulders of the person carrying it.
Sugar-making sometimes commenced when the snow was two
feet deep in the woods, and then gathering sap with a sap-
)'oke was a \'ery laborious and difficult job. Sometimes there
would be a crust on the snow in the morning and the sap-
gatherer would start out fort)' or fift\' rods and fill his buckets
and walk carefulK' and slow towards the boiling place on the
crust, when sutidenl)' one foot would break through and go
down to the ground in a twinkling and the sap would fly in
ever)' direction, and give the bearer a wetting down.
Such accidents happened quite frequently, and it is feared
that in some instances the)' might have called forth exclama-
tions that would hardly be proper to repeat in a Sabbath School
or print in a book.
After fifteen or twent)' v'ears from the time of the first set-
tlement, wooden sap-buckets began to be used in place of
troughs ; and the number of cauldron kettles was increased,
and trees began to be tapped with a small auger or bit instead
of an axe, and the sap began to be gathered with a team instead
of a sap-yoke.
The glory of sugar-making was in the great bush, where
hundreds of trees were tapped, where a shant)- was erected,
where the sap was brought to the central fires in barrels or
casks on ox-sleds, where cauldron and smaller kettles boiled
and bubbled night and day, where, after a sufficient quantit)'
had been " syruped down " a day was set to " sugar off." When
the boys and girls and young men and maidens would gather
in, and with dishes and spoons or a flattened stick,
" Would taste and eat, and lap and lick,"
and if any part of a snow bauK rcmanicd in striking distance,
chunks of it were procured and the warm sugar spread on and
made into wax and then eaten.
About thirty or forty years ago, large flat-bottomed sap-pans,
with low sides and made of sheet iron, and set in arches, began
to be used for boiling sap. And about the same time tin
ii6
THE FIRST WELLS — THEIR FIXTURES.
buckets began to take the place of wooden buckets and
troughs for catching sap, and large tubs were made and used for
storing it, instead of store "troughs."
PIONEER WELLS.
The early settlers were n(^t alwa\'s successful in finding a
location for their cabins near a spring, and in such instances a
well had to be dug, which like almost everything else was done
by the proprietor himself, with the aid of his boys if he had
any large enough, or a neighbor, to haul up the dirt. Its
depth of course depended on the location of water, but that
was generally to be found in abundant quantity, and of good
PIONEER WELL.
quality at from ten to thirt}- feet, but occasionalh' a well had
to be dug to the depth of forty or fifty feet. Plent\' of stone of
good quality was to be found all over the country; and the
pioneers here were not compelled to do what the pioneers of
some parts of the western country have been ; to stone up their
wells with Cottonwood or other plank.
The well being dug and stoned up, it was completed for use
by a superstructure, then almost uiuxcrsal, but is now almost
entirely a thing of the past. A post ten <~>r twehe inches in
diameter and some ten feet high, with a crotched top was set
in the ground a few feet from the well. On a stout pin run-
ning through both arms of the crotch, was hung a heavy pole
i
WINDLASSES AND I'UMI'S INTRODUCED. 11/
or "sweep," often twent)' feet or more lon^r. the lar^^er end
resting on the <;rouncl. the smaller end rising in air, directly over
the well. To this was attached a smaller pole, reachin<^ to the
top of the well ; at the lower end of this pole huni;" the bucket,
the veritable " old oaken bucket, that huny; in the well," and
the process of drawini;- water consistetl in takintr lu)ld of the
small "well-pole" antl pulliiii;' down the small end of the
"sweep" till the bucket struck the water and was filled, and
then letting;" the butt end pull it out with some assistance. A
board curb about three feet square and nearK' the same heiL,dU
was placed around the top of the w ell to pre\ent children antl
others from fallint^- in.
The whole formed, for a lons^' time, a picturescjue antl far-
seen addition to nearl)- every dooryard in this section of coun-
tr\-. Once in a L;reat while some wealth}' citizen would have a
windlass ft)r raisin<;- water, but for over a tpiarter of a century
after the first settlements, a farmer nexer thought of having a
pump. St)metimes there was no well-sweep erected, but the
water was drawn up by hand with a pail, and a small pole with
a crotch or hook on the lower end. And st)metimes it was
drawn up with a pail and rope. At a later date water was
sometimes raised with a long rope running over a pulley with a
bucket attachetl to each end, and when one bucket came up
the other went down. At the present time water is nearl)' all
raised from wells b\' pumps of diflerent kinds.
THE OLD OAKEN BL'CKET.
How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood !
When fond recollection presents them to view ;
The orchard, the meadow, the diep-tangled wild-wood,
And every loved spot which my mfancy knew;
The wide-spreading pond and the mill that stood by it
The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell.
The col of my father, the dairy house nigh it,
And e'en the rude bucket which hung in the well;
The old oaken bucket — the iron-bound bucket —
The moss-covet 'd bucket which hung in the well.
That moss-covered vessel I hail as a treasure —
For often at noon, when return'd from the field,
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure.
The purest snd sweetest that nature can yield.
How ardent I seized it with hands that were glowing,
Il8 THE OLD OAKEN BUCKET.
And quick to the white-pebbled bottom it fell :
Then soon, with the emblem of truth overfiowing.
And dripping with coolness, it rose from the well;
The old oaken bucket — the iron-bound bucket —
The moss-cover'd bucket arose from the well
How sweet from the green, mossy brim to receive it.
As poised on the curb it inclined to my lipsl
Not a full, blushing goblet could tempt me to leave "it,
Though filled with the nectar that Jupiter sips.
And now, far removed from the loved situation.
The tear of regret will intrusively swell.
As fancy reverts to my father's plantation.
And sighs for the bucket which hangs in the well;
The old oaken bucket — the iron-bound bucket —
The moss-cover'd bucket which hangs in the well.
I'lONEER EEXCIN(;.
As the pioneer had more or less stock when he commenced
growing crops, some sort of fence was required. Probably the
records of ex^ery town organized in the Holland Purchase, down
to 1850, would show that at its first town meeting an ordinance
Avas passed, providing that horses and horned cattle should be
free commoners. Hogs, it was usually voted, should not be
free commoners ; while sheep held an intermediate position,
being sometimes allowed the liberty of the road, and some-
times doomed to the seclusion of the pasture. These ordi-
nances were changed from time to time as circumstances
seemed to require. The fence that was constructed the easiest
and cheapest by the pioneers and one that was frequently used
was a brush fence, or a "slash fence." It was made b\' felling
trees in together in a line in the desired direction. Where the
timber was thick and the trees large a brush fence could be
made that wt)u1c1 answer a good purpose for two or three
years. Another style of fence used was a log fence, which was
made by laying the logs one above the other in a line with the
ends lapping by each other, and resting upon sticks four to six-
inches in diameter, and three or four feet long, laid cross-wa\s
under the ends of each tier of logs. Log fence \\-as sometimes
made b}' cutting logs the proper length and la\'ing them after
the fashion of the common crooked rail fence. But as settle-
ments increased, the crooked rail fence or the " Virginia rail
RAII., i;0.\Rr) AM) WIRF. FENCES. II9
fence," became the standanl protection for the L;"ro\\inn[ crops.
Rail spHttin_<( constituted an important part of the pioneer's
work. Equipped with ax, beetle and wedi^es, he would spend
weeks and months in transforminL;' the noble ash and cherr\-
into rails twehe feet loni;.
In the Spring; these were laid in fence, the bi^yest at the
bottom, one end of each rail below and the other abo\e, and
each " lengtli " of fence formin^^ an obtuse antj^le with that on
eitlier side. Four and a half feet was the usual height pre-
scribed b\' the town ordinances, but the farmer's standard of
efTicienc)' was a seven-rail fence, staked and ridered. Two
stout stakes were driven into the ground and crossed above the
sixth rail, at each corner, while on the crotch thus formed, was
laid a large rail, serving to add to the height and to keep the
others in place. Such a fence would (^ften reach the height of
six feet. This fence, somewhat modified, forms to this da)' a
considerable portion of the fence on man\- farms in the south
part of the county ; but the adoption of other styles of fence
and the scarcity of timber is fast driving the rail splitter and
his occupation from the field (or rather from the forest). The
kinds of timber from which rails were made, were chestnut,
oak, cherry, white ash, black ash, pine, hemlock, elm, basswood,
and sometimes beech and maple.
About 1830, board fences began to come into use; they were
generally made of boards sixteen feet long and six or eight
inches wide. The posts were six and one-half or seven feet
long, and set in the ground ab(jut eight feet apart, and the
boards nailed on. I'osts were sometimes made from small
trees hewed on one side, sometimes the\' were sawed, anci
sometimes s])lit out. The kind of timber used for posts was
generally cedar, oak, hemlock, cherry, chestnut and red beech.
.Another kind of fence was made of posts and rails; rails being
used instead of boards. Holes were mortised through the
posts and the ends of the rails fitted in.
Within the last few years wire fence has been introduced and
used to some extent. Posts are set in the ground and the wire
strung from post to post and fastened. Wire fence is made of
plain and barbed wire. The amount of barbed wire fence in
use is being increased considerabh- at the j)resent time. Cattle,
I20 THE OLD-FASHIOXEl) BARNS.
horses, and other domestic animals are not now allowed by law
to run loose and feed aloni;" the highways, consequenth' fences
along the roads in front of meadows and cultivated fields are
frequently dispensed with.
FKA.Mt: BARNS.
After the pioneer had built his log house and had a piece of
land cleared and fenced, the next thing he needed was a barn.
Log barns were sometimes built but it was difficult to make
them large enough to store any considerable amount of wheat,
oats, rye and hay, and frame barns were generalh' built as soon
as lumber could be procured, anywhere in reasonable distance,
to enclose them.
Plenty of excellent timber was growing in the forest near b\',
and was quickly " got out," that is, cut down, scored and hewed
by the pioneer and his boys or hired help. The kinds of tim-
ber used in barn frames were generally rock elm, cherr}\ red
beech, ash, cucumber and pine. The timber was draw n on the
spot, and framed, and raised, and enclosed with hemlock or pine
boards, all running up and down.
There are several pioneer barns still standing and in use that
are more than sixty-five years old and the frames are "just as
good as new%" the beams in which are fourteen inches deep
and twelve inches thick, and the size of the sills and posts and
other timbers are in proportion. They are still covered with
the same old boards that first enclosed them, which are held on
by the same nails first driven. These barns were generally
forty feet long and thirty feet wide with posts from fourteen
. to sixteen feet high, and the roof put on with a " quar-
ter pitch." They were nearh' all constructed after the same pat-
tern, with a threshing floor and drive-wa\' near the center run-
ning crosswise of the building, being generalh^ twelve feet wide
by thirty long, with a stable at one end from ten to twelve feet
wide and thirty feet long, and about seven feet high, with a
scaffold overhead for grain, and on the other side of the thresh-
ing-floor was a bay, sixteen or eighteen feet wide and thirty feet
long, used for storing ha)-. In those days, horse-forks had not
been invented, and hay and grain were pitched on and off by
hand-forks, and when the barn was nearly full it had to be
noUSKlIolJ) KU RN I ri'KK, KTC. 121
])itchctl up ()\cr the " bi^ beam," which was about twelve feet
abo\e the floor.
A ii^c'At inan\' of those old-fashioned barns are still standin<r
and in use, but w itliin the last twenty-five years — since dairying
has l:)econie the princi[)al business of the farmers here and man\'
of the farms have been enlarged, and the number of cows kei)t
has been s^reatly increased — new and lar<^er barns have been
built, some of them one hundred feet loni;" and fort}' feet wide:
large enough to stable fifty to one hundred cows, and to hold
fodder enough to Winter them. The old-fashioned barns were
single-boarded, but barns built now are generalh- double boarded
or battened.
PRIMITIVE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE AM) COOKING UTENSILS.
THE OVEN — THE OPEN EIRE-PLACE — THE OLD KITCHEN.
Household furniture was oftentimes limited as to variety, and
all told would show but a meager invoice. The first, an indis-
pensable article, was bed and bedding. Cooking utensils were
next in order, and these were at first chiefly such as the family
brought with them, with such additions as the skill and resources
of the head of the family could improvise. Beds and bedding
consisted of one or more feather beds and straw ticks filled with
straw, husks or fine boughs, with such covering as the family
means would permit. In many cases the feather bed was want-
ing and the straw tick filled with straw, husks or the boughs
of hemlock or pine were substituted, and in some cases the
straw ticks were wanting. In such a case the boughs were
skillfull}- prepared and spread in some convenient locality that
the tenement would permit. Often times the sleeping room for
the younger members of the family was located in the loft or
upper story of the house, and access was had by means of a
ladder. This upper lodging room was enjoyed only by those
whose building was high enough between the floors and roof.
Sometimes some other or less expensive room was provided.
The trundle bed was in frequent use, and when not being used
was pushed under the bed occupied b}' the older members of
the famil}-. Bedsteads were of various patterns; small poles
were cut of suitable length for the purpose, and an axe and
auger in skilful hands did the work. Cooking utensils were
122 DOi\[ESTIC LMl'ROVE-MEX'lS.
limited in numbers. The " Johnnx'-cake board '" was a board
about ^tw'o feet lonj^ and from ei^ht to ten inches in width and
about one and one-fourtli or one and one-lialf inches in thick-
ness spHt out of some hard wood, generally white ash, and
planed smooth, set up obliquely before the fire. On this the
dough, which had been mixed ver\' thick so that it would sta}-
on, was spread and kept there until it baked sufficiently. There
were cast-iron kettles of \arious kinds with legs three inches in
length, the tea kettle, the spider with three legs, to keep the
bottom above the ashes when set upon the coals on the heartli,
sometimes the long handled frying pan and the iron bake ket-
tle. This kettle when in use was placed on a bed of coals and
coals piled on the iron cover, did the family baking. Some-
times when the weather permitted a hole was dug in the ground
out of doors and a fire made in it. When the ground was
properly heated the coals and ashes were removed in part and
the kettle with its contents placed therein and hot ct:)als piled
upon the co\'er, and in due time the baking was done. Some-
times a stone oven was built out of doors, and this became a
favorite family institution. After brick could be liad they were
built of this material, and sometimes tliey would be used in
common by the near neighbors. Other houseliold utensils
were of similar primitive patterns. Wooden dishes, bowls
and plates of rude construction were often used and some"
times pewter plates, basins and platters. Chairs and tables were
of various patterns. A seat made of boards with a high back
some fi\'e or six feet long and called a " settle," was used
frequently for children. Shelves arranged along the walls
of the house performed the work of cupboards, closets aiul
bureaus. And sometimes, where there was no stand, the
old famih' Hible ku' on the shelf. Hut as the years went by
the bus\' hands of the pioneer tolci upon his surroundings.
Broad and fertile fields took the place of j^atches. and large
frame barns that were burdened from foundation to ricige-pole
with the products of the soil had supplanted the log hovels.
Meantime the good wife's thrifty hands had not been idle_
The flock of geese that she had reared and cared for, had sup-
plied her with the materials for several "spare beds," and the
loom and wheel had been the means of her laying up a goodh'
i
'I'liK L().\(i wixiKR i:\ K\i.\(;s. 123
store of woolens and linens to furnish a nioi'e comfortable
abode.
Sixty )'ears a_n"o frame houses be^an to take the ])lace of tile
log ones. In structure the}' differed l)ut little from those of
to-da\' — sa\e in one feature — e\"er\- main room in the house
whether parlor, sitting-room or kitchen, was supplied with an
open fire-place. That in the kitchen was much lari^er and
alwa\'s so arrans^ed that it contained a brick o\en in one of the
jambs. This o\'en was used as often as once a week to do the
family bakintjj, and around the kitchen fire, usually, the famih-
])assed the lonq; winter evenin_<^^s. The children in readinij; or con-
ninij lessons that must be recited to the district pedai^ot^ue the
"followini^ day. in peelini^ beech nuts or roastinL( chestnuts in the
embers, or crackiuL;' butternuts in the corner.
Perhaps an elder member of the famih' would read aloud
"Tales of the Arabian Ni<;'hts,"" "Thaddeus of Warsaw," or
the fate of ])ot)r " Charlotte Temple." But change, inexorable
change is stamped on e\-er}'thing that pertains to kitclien life
of 60 years ago. The range and cook sto\e ha\'e supplanted
the fire place of our father's time, with its rudd}' and welcome
cheer, and in its banishment vanished many of the fondest
joys that belong to childhood's home anci years. The good
wife's household burdens may have been greatly ameliorated by
the new order of things, but when modern improvement
invaded the old-fashioned kitchen, and banished the " ingle
side," we felt it to be sacrilege, and as a descendant of the pio-
neers, we feel called upon to earnestly protest against the
change. Think of listening to '• folk-lore," or fair\' tales b)-
the side of a coal stove, or playing "blind man's buff," and
"hunt the slip|)er" around a range. No. we say it, and with-
out fear of contradiction, that when the fireplace was banished
from (Hir yXmerican homes, one of its sacred and most endear-
ing altars was destroyed. The old fireplace with its endearing
associations has attuned many a lyre, and poets have sung its
praises. No fool of a poet ever attempted to immortalize a
coal stove or cooking range in verse; nor ever will. Coal
and cast-iron are too practical and onl\' used to "save fuel."
We are not in enmit}' to the cook sto\-e in its proper place, but
the family sitting-room should be supplied with an open fire.
124 THE DYE-HOUSE OF EARLY Tr^rES.
cither of wood or coal. It is far healthier and a thousand
times pleasanter.
(ARDINO. SI'INXIXO AND WEAYINCi.
The first process in manufacturing wool into cloth, after
proper cleansing, was to pick and card it, or prepare it for
spinning. This work had to be performed by hand for there
were no carding-machines in operation at the time we speak of.
Hand-cards were of simple construction ; similar in shape to
the horse-card of the present day, only larger and of finer wire.
Two cards were required, a right and left, and the wool was
worked or manipulated between these into rolls. The mother,
or the grandmother, or the maiden aunt generally performed
this duty, and these rolls were spun into threads on the "big
wheel." After which the )'arn was reeled from the spindle into
skeins, again scoured, and it was ready for coloring. The
domestic colors were of different shades. If " sheep's grey,"
the color was obtained b\' taking two fleeces of white wool and
mixing it \\'ith one fleece of black. If brown was desired, it
was obtained by boiling the yarn in a solution of butternut
bark, copperas and alum. If purple, Nicaraugua wood obtained
at the store entered largeh- into the composition of the dye.
If blue, it was immersed in " }'e " ancient dye-tub, and was
called coloring " indigo blue." What juvenile of those days
can ever forget the odors that arose when the process of wring-
ing out the }'arn was going on. Madder red was one of the
favorite colors, a color that was more or less worn by the
famih' during the winter. The materials for producing this
color had to be obtained at the village store. Flannel cloth of
different colors, wo\'en after the manner of " Scotch plaid,"
was much worn b\' women and girls. The noise of the spin-
ning wheels would commence in early fall, and its low , busy,
humming drone would be heard far into the Winter. A mother
or an elder sister's bus\' feet usualh- trod to and fro to its music,
and generally her voice in "Silver Street," or "Camden," or some
other of those dear old melodies of the olden time would
accompan\' it. .Vh ! ye boys and girls w ith siKer locks, who
number the seasons that have come and gone to \'ou in the
sixties, at the mention of thi.s, do not your thougiits turn back
i
126 THE OLl) SPINNINC; WHEEL.
through the great gap of years to that fairy-lancl, "mother's
kitchen, and her spinning-wheel." and do not the thoughts that
linger around the old open fire-place, the glow of the embers,
and the giant shadows of the revoK'ing wheel upon the wall
on those long Winter excnings, burn brighter in memory than
aught else. This labor, like all the handicraft performed about
the household in those days, was long and tedious. Just imagine
the countless number of steps that would be required to form
the warp and woof for ninety or one hundred yards of flannel,
drawn out at a single thread at a time. Ikit this was the only
way the pioneer mothers had of protecting those who were
dear and near to her from Winter's chilling reign, and the
spinning was not the only work that had to be performed
before it ^\■as ready for use. The yarn must be reeled from
the spindle — the operator holding the thread with one hand
while the other turned the reel, and the bus}- brain numbered
the revolutions into "knots" and "skeins." The warj) was
then spooled on the " quill wheel," and the si)0()ls were placed
in the " scam," and the \'arn warped onto the " bars." From
here the warp was wound or beamed onto the beam and then
passed through the harnesses and then through the reed. The
woof or filling was quilled on the same little w heels into bob-
bins or quills, and was then read}- for the shuttle and the
weaver. I^^rom fort}- to fift}' }'ari,ls was the custt)mar}' length
of the webs. Perhaps the same hands that picked the wool
performed the rest of the labor, and the fabric was termed
" home-made," or " home-spun," a definition literally true.
THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL.
Broken, dismantled ! would that it were mine :
I would not keep it in that dusty nook,
Where tangled cobwebs cross and interwine,
And grim old spiders from their corners look.
From distaff, band and polished rim, ere hung
The dusty meshes. Black the spindle is,
Crooked and rusty — a dead, silent tongue.
That once made whirring music — there it lies.
Oh. dear to me is this forsaken thing !
1 gaze upon it and my eyes grow dim ;
For I can see my mother, hear her sing,
As winds the shining thread and whirls the rim.
IHK FI.AX IM>rS'Ik\. 127
So sweet she sang ! her youngest on her knee —
Now a warble, now some fine old hyiin.
Sublime, exultant, full of victory.
Triumphant as the songs of seraphim.
Sweet toiler 1 through her life of crowded care,
While grief came oft, and pain and weariness
Till swelled the anthem, still was breathed the prayer,
Till death came clasping with his cold caress.
She sings no more ; beside the chimney wide
No more she spins. Years come and go ;
Above her grave upon the lone hill side
The snow drifts lie, the summer grasses grow.
RAISIN(;, DRESSING AND Sl'INNIN(; I l.AX.
Flax was an indispensible necessity to the pioneer, and its
culti\ation was observed by all. This commodit)' was never
raised for commerce or barter b\' the pioneer, but its uses were
purely domestic, suppl}'ing all the sewinj^' thread and it took the
place of cotton for all purposes that this staple article is used
in to-da\'. It furnished a g'ood share of the summer clothini.>'
of the famil}-, and entered largely into the comforts and con-
veniences of the household. Its cultivation was simple and
easN', and required no more attention than the raising of oats or
wheat, or the rest of the cereals sa\e in its harx'est. Instead of
being reaped it was pulled up, the dirt shook out of the roots,
and laid in " ga\els." When sufficiently dry it was bcnmd into
bundles and "shocked," where it would remain until perfecth-
cured. Then it would pass to the threshing floor and be sub-
ject to a sex'ere "head-beating" that removed all the seeds
from the "bell" or "heads." After this it was taken to some
convenient grass plot and spread upon the ground in swaths
and left to the action of the elements until the wood\- portion
of the stalks had become thoroughh* rotten and brittle. Then
again it was bound into bundles and taken to the barn where it
was ready for the brake. By the aid of this implement the
operator would commence and continue the breaking process
until the wooden substance of the stalk was broken or loosened
from the outside fiber or bark. After passing through this
process it is "swingled," b\' taking as much as you can conven-
iently hold in the hand, hanging it across the sharp edge of a
board fixed for the [Hirpose, while with the other hand you beat
128 ACRICULTUKAL IMl'LEMKXTS.
it with a wooden knife some two feet long, this is done to
remov^e all the " shieves." After it has been thoroughly
swingled, it is taken to the " hetchel," where the silken fibers
of the flax is combed into " hanks," with the same ease that
one of our modern belle combs out her " switch," and this flax
is ready for the " distaff." This is a very simple affair, gener-
ally cur. from the top of a little maple, not over half an inch in
diameter with four little protruding branches, which are bent
together and fastened at the top. This distaff is set in a socket,
which allows it to turn, the flax is loosely bound around, a few
of the fibers are attached to the spindle of the little wheel, the
foot is placed upon the treadle and the spinning has com-
menced, the thread that runs through the flyers to the spindle
turns the distaff and supplies the spindle with flax. The tow
was carded and spun as you would wool, on a big wheel.
THE HULL PLOW AND CROTCH DRAG.
In pioneer days, farming implements were of rude construc-
tion and most of their parts were the works of the farmer's
hands. The " bull plow" that was in common use sixty years
ago was made mostly of wood. The plow-share and land-side
were made b}' the blacksmith out of wrought iron, with the
point laid with steel and all in one section. The mold-board
was of wood and split out of a winding log or tree, and worked
clown to about one and one-half inches in thickness, and in size
and shape similar to the mold-boards of cast-iron plows. The
crotch-drag was almost entirely a natural production, and a
description of which may be found in the article on milling,
was used, only this drag must be furnished with nine or eleven
teeth, some twelve inches in length and one inch in diameter.
The capital " A " will give a good idea of this drag. One of
the teeth is set in the apex, or point, where the draught is
attached while each right and left arm is pierced by an equal
number of teeth, which were of steel or iron.
The author, then a lad of some dozen years, has a \i\'id
recollection of the practical workings of this drag upon a
newl)'-burned fallow: how il would jerk and tip, hop and skip
along until it would find something to fasten upon, when things
would be brought up standing; then there would be a season
'JHE .\E\VLV-CLEAR1£1) [.AND. \ 2i)
of tugging and liftiiiL; <ind hallowing, and the drag would be
tided over the obstacle only to be lifted again and again to
clear its teeth of roots, sods or brush, or to remove it again
from its anchorage on some treacherous root or stum]). In a
few years the plowing of his ground must be performed, and
that was a task which, to be full)' appreciated, one must ha\'e
had some practical experience, great patience, forbearance, and
an unfaltering faith in a bountiful Providence. Oh. )'e modern
tillers of the soil who ride at careless ease upon your improved
" sulky plows," could you ha\e witnessed the breaking of this
self-same sod by '' Old (jrimes " sixty or seventy years ago
with that same old " bull plow ," all your fine-spun theories of
scientific farming and performing this work b\' inanimate force
w ould ha\e departed as " \-anishes the dew before morning's
sun !" And could \ou have heard the language employed b\'
" Old Grimes " w hen that plow anchored under the big roots
of a stump and he undertook to "gee" "them" steers and
the\' " hawed," and in doing so, traveled on one of his corns, we
fear that your faith in the native goodness of that old gentle-
man would liave been terribK' shaken. Instances of the remark-
able patience of Job under trying circumstances are given but
it is not recorded anywhere that he ever dragged with a " crotch
drag " or plowed with a bull plow among the roots and stumps
on a newh'-cleared piece of land.
" He that by his plow would thrive
llimself must either hold or drive,"
Is an adage that t(j-day wi)uld be questionable, but the pioneer
not onl)- was comjielled to //<>M, but it was ///_if, ///'/, p//s/i and
/>//// until e\er\' bone had its own ])eculiar ache. There are
very few to-da\' who look upon the practical working of the
machinerx' now employed in farming who ha\e any just con-
ception of the toils, trials and hardships that w ere endured b)-
the pioneers who (icvotcd tluir lives to making the countr)- what
it now is.
MILLINC;.
The first mill south of the reservation was built by Daniel
Smith in 1805. It was of rude construction, built of logs
8
I30
ADVENT OF THE CiRIST MILL.
with wooden gearing and had a capacity of grinding only
from five to six bushels of corn per day. This mill was located
on a small stream in the Town of East Hamburg. The follow-
ing year, John Cummings erected a grist mill on the Eighteen-
Mile creek, a mile or so below Water Valley, in the Town of
Hamburg. This was the first mill built, that did a general
business of grinding, south of the Reservation.
In 1809, Joseph Yaw built a grist mill in the town of Boston.
In 1812, Jacob Taylor erected another at Taylor Hollow, in
the town of Collins, and in 18 14 Benjamin Gardner built one
in S.pringville. These mills supplied the pioneers for a few
years with the necessary material for bread, and the task of
doing the family milling was no slight one. The roads were
GOINi; TO MILL.
but little better than a bridle path, and sometimes three days
would be consumed in coming and going where the pioneer
lived remote. The task was performed in various ways. When
the distance would allow, the head of the family would sling a
grist across one shoulder, and by occasionally resting and shift-
ing it was transported in this way; or again the grist would be
placed upon the back of a horse and a boy set upon this and
sent to mill ; sometimes several boys would come to the same
mill in this way on the same day, but more often where the
distance was of any consideration, the " drag" was used. This
conveyance was almost a natural production and called but little
skill in its construction.
The first to be done was to select a tree that threw out two
main branches, seven to eight inches in diameter and as many
CLOTHINC ()]•■ TllK l'I().\Ki:i<. I3I
tcct in length. These branches formed a " dra^;," or the letter
V. Now champer the under side of the "drai^" at tlie nose,
where the draft is to be attached, upwards and to a point.
This gives it the shape of a sled runner and allows it to slide
over all obstacles without hindrance. Across the top of the
dray place split planks and fasten them; aflix two stakes at
the rear to prexent the load from slipping off and you have it.
This could be used in all seasons and was niuch more conveni-
ent than the ox sled where the ways were different. On this
the grist was put. the oxen attached, and the jMoneer set out
for the mill, almost through an unbroken wilderness. If tlie
distance was great, rations for himself and team would be
carried. Sometimes the drag would carr}- grists for the entire
neighborhood and the milling would be done by turns.
THE MANUFACTURE OF CLOTHINC;, BOOTS AND SHOES.
A marked change has taken place in everything that apper-
tains to the production of wearing apparel. Such a thing as
ready-made clothing, or even boots and shoes was unknown sixt}'
or seventy years ago. The good housewife received the cloth
for the Winter's clothing (mostly, perhaps, the work of her own
hands) from the fuller and dresser, and then she was ready for the
tailoress, who came and remained until the garments for the
family were cut and made. Their services were always in good
demand during Fall and early Winter. These sewing girls (usu-
ally two worked in company) would cut and fit and ba.ste and
prepare, and then push forward the garments to final completion.
They passed from home to home, and comfort and good cheer
was sure to accompany them. The very nature of their calling
afforded them opjjortunities of becoming well qualified to con-
verse on all subjects of general interest, and rendered them
agreeable and interesting compan\% and their advent in the
family, was hailed, more especialh' by the younger members,
with feelings akin to gratitude; for perhaps it was their skilled
fingers that were to improvise for the first time " those pants,"
and " that roundabout"with caudal appendage, that makes ever\-
bo\- feel that he has reached a certain stage where his impor-
tance is recognized and acknowledged.
Pants and vests were made up for all the male, members of
132 BOOTS AND SHOES FOR THE WINTER.
the family old enough to wear them, and for the father and
young men, these were fashioned according to the prevailing
styles, " cutaways," or else high collared, straight bodied, or
swallow-tailed coats, " all buttoned down before," with metal
buttons which perhaps had done service for several years on
one or more preceding coats. The boys were all provided
with roundabouts of fulled cloth or Linsey-Wolsc}', and fre-
quently with cloth caps of various styles made at home.
And it was the custom in early times to have the itinerant
shoemaker visit the pioneer homes and there to remain and
labor until the family were supplied with boots and shoes.
Generally the pioneer furnished his home for the Winter with
beef of his own raising, and the skins of the animals were usually
taken to the tanner and made into leather upon shares, and fur-
nished the family with boots and shoes. The luxury of wearing
boots was not often indulged in by the boys, but a compromise
was effected and high shoes with knit leggings sufficed for all
occasions, and when attired in these with " roundabout " and
pants to correspond, there was just about as much importance
done up in the small boy of sixty ot seventy years ago as
there is to-day.
The women and girls were supplied with boots make of calf
skin, while boots and shoes for men and boys were made of
cow-hide Sometimes the boots and shoes for the family would
not be made up until after the snow had covered the ground
for several weeks, and a few instances are mentioned when boys
had neither boots or shoes and went without either all Winter,
and even attended school barefooted.
MAKING BLACK SALTS.
In the early settlement of the Holland Purchase, as Western
New York was called, " black salts " was one of the valuable
productions of this portion of the country. As it was for the
most part heavily timbered and the necessity of clearing up the
land for farming purposes furnished wood ashes in abundance.
These ashes were either sold at the ashery and there converted
into potash or were worked up by the owners and made into
"black salts." The ashes were carefully housed, protected from
the wet and put into leaches, made in various ways as the
11
THE BLACK SALTS TRADE.
133
means at the command of the owner's permitted. By a con-
tinuous hberal wetting with water soon the lye began to run,
which was boiled down in iron kettles until it became a mass of
black salts, which had a cash value at the nearest point where an
ashery was located. The money thus obtained was very largely
the only resources from which money could be had by the
early settlers. And not only in the clearing of the farms was
black salts manufactured, but very often, when other employ-
ment was wanting, the new-comer, the mechanic and others, who
MAKING BLACK SALTS.
were not otherwise employed, would go to the nearest un-.
claimed land, cut and burn timber for the ashes it would pro-
duce and make black salts. The ashes from the elm were the
best, sugar maple, beech, birch and other hard wood were next,
while hemlock, pine and other soft wood was nearly useless.
Black salts were manufactured into "pearl ash;" the ashes pur-
chased at the ashery were manufactured into potash, which
were commodities for export and enter largely into the numer-
ous preparations of potash in use for medical and mechanical
purposes at the present da\'. There was a great deal of laborious
134 THE MIRTHFUL HUSKING BEES.
work about this industr}\ as it took twenty bushels of ashes
to produce lOO pounds of salts, and these when hauled to the
market would bring only about $2.50 or at the highest $3.00
per cwt. Great care had to be used in boiling or evaporating
this lye to the proper consistency lest it should be burned,
but, as we said before, it was about the only industry that sold
for cash and early pioneers were compelled to lay by a little
money to satisfy the demands of the tax gatherer.
HUSKINC BEES, APPLE BEES AND QUILTINGS.
When the ripened corn had been cut and marshalled into
shocks, "husking bees" were common to the season. These
gatherings like the other "bees" of pioneer days, were when
the work performed was paramount, and when the honest,
hearty good will of the participants entered largely into the
joy of the occasion. These gatherings were participated in by
nearly all. If the corn was to be husked in the field, prepara-
tion would be made by drawing all the shocks that stood con-
veniently near, around one common center. This formed the
buskers' arena, and here they would assemble upon some moon-
lit night designated, and strip the yellow corn of its covering;,
meanwhile stories would be told, farming discussed and songs
sung. After husking a sufficient amount the host would invite
his guests to the house, where a collation awaited their coming,
consisting of pumpkin pies, doughnuts, cider and cheese.
After doing ample justice to these refreshments, the fragments
would be picked up, chairs and tables would disappear, the en-
livening strains of a violin would fall upon the ear, perhaps in
the " Monnie Musk " or the " Opera Reel." As by instinct, a
new life seemed to possess the buskers: the old forgot their
years and the weary their toils; partners were chosen; two
columns stood facing across the old kitchen floor that were soon
keeping step and time to those grand old melodies, and which
would be kept up until near the hour of morning. If the
husking was to be done indoors, the great threshing floor would
be filled to overflowing with shocks of corn. Chairs would be
furnished the aged and punij:)kins sufficed for seats for the
young, and the work would go on as " merry as a marriage
ell," until the floor was cleared of its burden of shocks, and in
APPLK BEES AND QUII/riNGS. 1 35
tlicir place was a heap of <^oIden cc^rii. The (jld-fashioned tin
hmterns were arran<^cd along the great swing beam, and fur-
nished the workers with light.
One of the first things that occupied the attention of the
pioneer here was the planting of an orchard ; in a few years
these orchards yielded an abundance, and " apple bees " were
in order, and, like the huskings, they brought out a full house.
The fruit would be stored conveniently near and brought into
the old kitchen by the basketful, where an active, busy scene
would be witnessed — some paring, some quartering and coring,
some stringing and all talking, laughing and enjoying them-
selves. Paring machines were not known, and this work was
done with a knife the same as you would pare potatoes to-day.
There is nothing but the stringing that needs an explanation.
The stringer was armed with a long needle, most generally
improvised out of a knitting needle, with an eye large enough
to carry a strong string of linen twine. The needle was held
in the right hand and the quarters were placed upon its sharp
point with the left, and when it was full it was drawn through
the apples, leaving them upon the string as you would string
beads. This operation had to be repeated until the string was
full ; then the ends were tied and it was ready to be hung up to
dry. Most generally this work would continue until the walls
or ceiling of the old kitchen were deeply festooned with the
drying fruit. Then would follow the repast to be closed with
playing or dancing and sometimes both.
Quiltings were fashionable at all times, and differed but ver\-
little from the rest of the merry makings save in this : the mat-
rons and maidens would most generally meet in the afternoon
and the "quilt" would be finished and taken from the frames
before the swains put in an appearance. When this was the
case the dance would commence at early candle light and be
continued for three or four hours; then an intermission of half
an hour or so for rest and refreshments ; the latter would be
passed around, and again on would go the dances, sometimes
closing at midnight and sometimes not until the "dawning of
the day." Sometimes these quiltings forestalled a wedding,
and many of the spectacle-wearing grandamesof this age, though
for them the nightingale's song of love ceased long ago, and
1.0 THE I'RIMITIVE SCHOOL-HOUSES.
the flowers of }'Outh have faded and been swept awa}- , \'et with
them still lingers some of the bright hopes of their sweet
maiden years, and they will pause and ponder with fond recol-
lection at the mere mention of these " merry-makings."
SCHOOLS.
It is a credit that is due to the earl)- pioneer to say that he
realized the benefits to be derived from an education that has
been of vast importance to the succeeding generations, for
whenever there were scholars enough to form a class a school
was organized, a teacher secured and the Summers and Winters
were devoted by the young to acquiring an education. This
was the case in the earliest days of the settlement, and before a
saw-mill had been built. Sometimes the pioneer's humble
abode contained more space than was actually needed b)' tlie
famih', and this was used as a school room. Sometimes the
log barn sufficed for the Summer's term, and sometimes several
terms would be taught in this way before the building cf a
school house or the organization of a school district, and per-
haps in good time a central site would be secured, a day named
when the whole neighborhood would turn out and the body of
a log school house would rise, as by magic, and another day
would witness the covering, and perhaps the labor of another
day would be all that was required to fit it for occupation.
Generally egre.ss was had at one end, while the stick chimne)'
and Dutch fire-place occupied the other. Two or three single
windows (according to the size of the room) on a side admitted
the light ; a single row of desks was arranged along the walls
with benches to correspond. These were occupied by the
older or more advanced scholars, while the inner circle was
occupied by the juveniles on benches to correspond. Perhaps
some patron would supply the teacher with a splint-bottomed
chair, and he or she would keep ward and watch over the
"young idea" from the center of the room.
These teachers were supposed to be proficient in the com-
mon English branches and most all that our venerable ances-
tors knew of these rudiments were acquired in these log school-
rooms.
At times more pains would be taken in the erection of these
KARLV SCHOOL RECORDS. I 37
buil(liiiq;s. Tlic lo^s that were to form the walls were squared
to the desired thickness by scoriiiL;- and hewini^, and when care
was used in jilaciiii;" them into the walls they formed a very
comfortable and substantial building". These were termed
"block houses," and when adorned with brick chimne)'s and
double windows they were cjuite imposin^^ in appearance and
spoke well of the public si)irit and liberality of the patrons.
Just as sooji as sawed lumber could be i)rocured the log school
house was supplanted by the framed one. Those differed but
very little from those of the present, save in the modern im-
provements that ha\-e been made b\- the introduction of the
box stox'c in heatint;" and the patent desks and benches now-
used in the most ot our schools.
The uliool fund at the time we s|)eak w as but a mere pit-
tance, being less than thirt}'-seven cents per scholar, and most
of the teachers' wages were raised by a rate-bill. The teachers
were also required to board around among the patrons of the
school, and the amount of board was regulated by the number
of scholars sent by the several families, and the wood was also
furnished for the school by the patrons in the same manner.
Unfortunateh' we have no records that extend farther back
than 1832-3, and this record is not only worthy of preserva-
tion, as a period in the history of our schools, but it gives us a
true idea of the character and ability of the inen who were the
prominent actors of half a century ago. \V'e give the report
vcrbati}>L, dated I<S33 :
" To the Commissioners of Common Schools of the Town of
Concord: We the trustees of school district number five in
said town in conformity with the statutes for the support of
common schools, do certif\- and report. That the whole time
any school has been kept in our district during the \'ear
ending on the date hereof, and since the date of the last
report, such schools has been kept by teachers duly appointed
and approved in all respects according to law, is seven
months, that the amount of money received in our district
from the commissioners of common schools during the said
year and since said last report is tii<cnty-)ii)ic dollars and fifteen
cents, and that the same has been expended in paying the
wages of teachers, who were duly appointed and approved
i^S
REPORT OF SCHOOr. TRUSTEES.
in all respects according to law. That the number of children
taught in said district during said year and since said last report
is ninety.
" And that the number of children residing in our district on
the first day of Januar}% instant, who are over five and under
sixteen years of age is s ev c tit y -nine, and that the names of the
parents or other persons with whom such children respectively
reside and the number residing with each are as follows, viz.:
NAMES OF PATRONS, NUMBER OF SCHOLARS AND AMOUNT OF
WOOD FURNISHED.
Calvin Blake
Abiel Blodgett. . .
Sylvester Russell . .
Phineas Scott
Enoch Sinclear . . .
— Green
Amasa Loveridge.
James Anthony . . .
George A. Stewart
Jarvis Thompson. .
Orrin Loveridge. .
John House
Harry House
James Flemings..
3
3 !
2 !
4 ii
2 i
2 I
3 i
2
4 |i'
3 ; ;
2
2
4 |i
3 •
Va cord
Ebenezer Blake . . 6
Benjamin Fay. ... 3
Amos Stanbro. . . 5
Ebenezer Ferrin.. 4 i
Printis Stanbro. ..41
Ephram A. Briggs 4 i
Noah Townsend. . i
Constant Trevitt. . 2
Asa Phillips, Jr. . . i
Barzilla Briggs. . . i
Isaac Russell 2
Amasiah Ashman., 4 li
Samuel Twichell.. I 2 I
Metzgar i
!79l
13^ cords
3/ "
" And we further report that our school has been visited by
the Inspector of Common Schools during the year preceding
this report twice, and that the sum paid for teachers' wages
over and above the public moneys apportioned to said district
during the same year amounts to $35.00.
" Dated at Concord the first day of January, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eieht hundred and thirt\--three.
Benjamin Fav, j
Enoch Sinclear, - Trustees.
Amasiah Ashman. \
Noah Townsend, Clerk."
INNOCENT PASTIMES OF LONG A(;o. 1 39
THE SPELLING SCIIOOF,.
There is not one scholar of fifty or sixt\- \'ears ago Hving
to-day but what has a \'ivid recollection of the " spelling
school," and though it was a " long spell " ago, and many a sad
"spell" since then has cast its shadows over the hearts of
scholars and teachers, still these lines will bring to memory one
of the brightest "spells" on life's pathway.
Word had been given out a week or so beforehand. The
invitation was made general, not only to those who belonged
t(^ the district, but those of other districts were welcomed, and
their presence was sure to add greater interest to the occasion.
The elder scholars in several households had been requested to
bring candles to give light while some of the older girls would
stay over to give the school-house an extra sweeping, and to
see also that the fire was kept brightly burning. Their busy
hands were never idle, — the door, the windows and the walls
of the room would be deeply festooned with evergreens that
grew abundant and near, and when the room was all ablaze
with light from the great open fire, and the burning candles
fixed all along the walls, the sight, to the youthful imagination,
was truly enchanting. Then, as the appointed time drew near
and the scholars began to assemble, some on foot and some on
sleds and sleighs, what shouts of joy would greet the ear as
these vehicles drew up to the door and turned out their loads
of happy, merry-hearted boys and girls. These sleds and
sleighs were great institutions of their time, and they performed
an important part in the Winter's merry-makings. Like the
omnibus, there was always room for one more, and upon these
occasions the great box would be filled with clean, bri"-ht
straw, and then they would start out and gather them in as
they passed from house to house until they had reached their
destination. Perhaps the driver wielded an ox gad and the
pace was slow, but it was free from danger and full of innocent
fun. In good time all would be assembled before the great
log fire. Hats and hoods, capes and cloaks, would be placed
upon shelves or hung upon the wall, and after all had become
sufificiently warm, the teacher would step to the desk, the
laughing and talking would cease. Two of the best spellers
were generally selected to choose sides. " Cuts " were drawn
I40 FRIENDSHIPS FORMED AT 'SPELLING SCHOOL.
for the first choice, and the choosers would take their places
on the opposite sides of the room face to face. Then the one
who had won first choice would call out the name of a favorite
speller, and he or she would be marshalled on that side, and
likewise the second choice would be made by the other chooser,
and this alternate choosing would go on until ever}^one
present had been invited to take a part, and two long columns
sat facing each other.
Now some of the spectators present would be chosen to keep
" tally." The master would step to the head, with book in
one hand and candle in the other, a word would be pronounced
to the right, then to the left, and so on, until everyone in the
lines had spelled in turn. A word missed by a speller on the
right, and passed to the left and corrected, was scored a point
for the left. A word missed by a speller on the left, and
passed to the right and corrected, was scored a point for the
right. A word missed on the left, passed to the right and
missed again, and passed back and corrected, was termed
saved and no score made, and vice versa.
What a conflict of emotions filled the hearts of those young
spellers as the words were dealt out right and left. How when
the words grew hard there might have been a little blue-eyed
divinity in pink frock and cheeks in that row of spellers, that
made your boyish heart tremble every time she undertook to
wrestle with a hard word. How you longed to be by her side,
if only to prompt her, for you know there were friendships
formed at those spelling-schools of fifty and sixty years ago
that burn brightl}- to-day, and will continue to burn until the
hands are folded across the peaceful breast, and you feel that
life's brightest spell for you has gone, when these same loving
blue eyes are forever closed.
As the spelling began at " Baker " to give the younger ones
a chance, nearly half the evening has gone. The book is closed
and fifteen minutes are given for intermission, when all is fun
and frolic. Fhe master would snuff the candles and brand up
the fire, aiid at times he too would enter into the merry-mak-
ings. The fifteen minutes are up and teacher and scholars
again take their places, and two more scholars, perhaps
\'ounger. are selected t<^ choose up, and the same programme
i
CONCLUSION OF TIIK SI'KI.I,I\(; MAICFl. I4I
is carried out as before, aiul should it be your fate to be clioseii
next to " your girl," the enjo)"nieiit of the occasion would be
i^reatl)- heightened.
The teacher is perhaps assisted b\- a teacher from some
neighboring school ; or perhaps b}- some competent citizen of
the district present ; or by some one of the more advanced
scliolars, and the spelling would proceed for a while as before,
and the evening's exercises would be brought to a cU^se
by " spelling down."' The. teacher recjuests the school to
rise, and then the spelling proceeds as before, from right
to left, and from left to right, with this difTerence, that
when a scholar missed a wf)rd, they took their seats, and
those only who remained standing continued to spell. The
words simple at first grew harder and harder, and these spellers
go down as grass falls before the mower's scythe, and as the
ranks of the spellers decrease, the interest in the contest
increases ; and so close was the attention, and so great the
interest, that the falling of a pin might have been heard, and
even the trembling limbs and voices of the spellers added
more and more to the intense interest of the occasion. The
master has exhausted all the hard words in the common les-
sons ; the tallow candles burn low; the younger scholars stretch
and yawn in their drowsiness, and the master's voice has a
wear}' husky tone, still the gladiators keep their places. Then
the master closes his book and drops his head as if about
to retire x'anquished, but he was only preparing strateg)' and
he pronounces out a word not found in the spelling-book. The
speller is taken by surprise, and he spells out the word with
trembling and fear. " Next ! " cries the master in a defiant
tone. There is a longer pause ere the next speller attempts
for the letters have got mixed up in the brain and confidence
has fled ; then the word is hesitatingly drawled out. "Wrong ! "
cries the master with nuich relief, as he correctl}- renders the
word. Then school is dismissed and there is a hurrying to and
fro for the wrappings, candles are taken from the walls and
blown out. the sleds and sleighs are read)' at the door to
receive their loads of merry, happy-hearted boys and girls. A
few of the larger lads and lassies linger around the flickering,
dying embers; then the master or some one who has it in
142 thp: sickle and hand-scythe.
charge, covers with ashes the great bed of coals, that will keep
for the morrow's fire, and almost total darkness reigns. Then
there is a low, whispering consultation b}^ the lingerers, and
the shouting waiting loads at the door are told to move on
by these same lingerers as they choose to walk, and the old
school-house that stood on the hill is left to the silent watches
of the night.
REAPING WITH A SICKLE, THRESHING WITH A FLAIL AND
CLEANING GRAIN WITH A HAND FAN.
When the country was first settled farming in its various
branches was conducted in a primitive manner. The machinery
now in use was then unknown, and had it been it would
have been of but very little use to the pioneers, whose fields
were covered with great stumps that required years to decay.
The sickle that had been in use from time immemorial, for
Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz after the reapers a thousand
years or more before the Christian era, made its appearance
here with the landing of the pilgrim fathers, and its use had
been indispensable until some "Yankee genius" invented the
hand-scythe or cradle, with bended snath and wooden fingers.
So the sickle here was used by the pioneer fathers to cut all
small or sown grain, such as wheat, oats, barley or rye. It was
similar in construction to the one now in use for cutting grass
from shrubbery, only it carried a fine serrated edge, made by
finely ribbing the lower side of the blade similar to one side of
a mill-file, and only grinding or sharpening it upon the smooth
or upper side.
The skillful reaper would thrust this implement into the grain
with the right hand, which did the most of the gathering ; then
with a dextrous movement of the left, the grain would be'
held bv the thumb and forefinger, the three remaining fingers
falling upon the back of the blade, holding it to its work, while
the implement would be drawn by a quick motion upwards
and to the right and the work was accomplished. Great care
had to be exercised in the use of this implement, for its fine
serrated edge was as keen as a razor's blade, and the novice was
almost certain to receive an ugh- gash on the fingers or ball of
the left hand. The cut grain would be laid to the right rear in
THE RAIM'INC ()¥ THK II. All.. 1 43
" gavels," and these would be bound in bundles and " shocked."
A skillful reaper would cut from a half to an acre per day, and
would handle his sickle with as much dexterit}- as the mower
could swini^ his bended snath.
The threshini^ was chiefly done with a flail upon a threshing
fltior. Wlien the farmers had progressed so far in affluence as
to be able to build a barn, this floor was the main one in the
building. If otherwise, this floor was constructed out of doors
by placing "sleepers" on the ground and covering these with
two-inch plank, the grain stacked conveniently near and the
grain beaten from the chaff and straw with flails. A diligent
man could thresh from twenty to twenty-five bushels of oats
per day, and from eight to ten bushels of wheat, and it might
have been laborious, but it was not an unpleasant occupation
in the cold days of winter where it was performed indoors.
The big barn floor would be made perfectly clean by a free use
of the splint broom; a flooring would be thrown from the scaf-
fold, consisting most generally of twenty-four bundles, these
placed in two swaths across the floor, with the heads of the
grain resting together; then the threshers, for company's sake,
generally two, would step to one end of the flooring, and the
work would begin, one to advance and the other to retreat
across the grain to the alternate music of the flails. Then the
grain would be turned over and another advance and retreat
had across the grain and this flooring was finished. Then
the straw^ was gathered up and the grain carefully shaken from
it, and bound into bundles, the threshed-out grain pushed to
one side and the threshers were ready for another flooring.
Most generally the threshing season would begin at the com-
mencement of cold weather, and would be continued far into
the winter, and the alternate rapping, rapping, rapping of the
flails heard throughout the land from early dawn until evening,
was not disagreeable to the ear, but rather pleasing. Here we
wish to diverge a little and then we are done with threshing.
In these times men would follow some calling and make a
specialty of it, such as "chopping," "logging" or "threshing."
A man b\- the name of Carr, and an original of the times,
moved into the settlement in indigent circumstances. He pro-
fessed to be a great thresher, and talked a great deal of what
J44 CLEANING GRAIN WITH THE HAND-FAN.
he was able to accomplish in this peculiar line. Finally he
took a job of " Square " Frye to thresh out sex-eral hundred
bushels of grain. The first day Carr"s efforts, when measured
up, were very meager, being onh' about one-third what an}-
active man would hax'e accomplished in the same time, and
this fell so far short of Carr's professions and the "'Square's"
expectations that there might have been something said. How-
ever Carr, at the supper table that night, all of a sudden,
dropped his knife and fork, and looking the old man in the face
said, " ' Square,' you need have no fears about my not being
able to thresh your grain ; I shall do a great deal better to-mor-
row, for I have got the hang of your barn." This excited the
old man to a hearty laugh, and ever after if he undertook a task
that did not savor of success, he would always say to those
about him, " Wait until I get the hang of the barn."
As the grain has been cut and threshed, it must be separated
from the chaff by "winnowing" in the wind. This was done
by a "hand-fan," an implement, semi-circular in shape, bottom
composed of thin, light wood, with sides of same material,
about eight inches high. The shape of this fan would be similar
to a large semi-circular dustpan, made of wood, with the handles
on the sides. The operator filled the fan with the grain to be
cleaned, and stood with his back to the wind. Then by a
quick and skillful movement of the fan, the grain would be
thrown into the air, the light chaff caught by the wind and
carried away while the grain would fall back again into the fan,
to have the operation repeated until it was free from all chaff.
A skillful man would clean from thirt)- to fort}' bushels ot
grain per da}- in this manner.
MIMTIA IRAINTNCi.
Although the year 1776 had been numbered v\ ith the [)ast.
and most of the active participants in the stirring events ot
that period in our nation's history-, rested from their toils
" where heaves the turf in man}' a mouldering heap." still that
spirit which formed a lodgment in the hearts of the ]\iritan
Fathers had been transmitted to their descendants, and not onl}-
this, but the Statutes of the State made it imperative on ever}-
male citizen who had attained the age of eighteen years, and
MIIITAKV KECJULATIONS. 145
who was of sound boil}' aiul mind lo do niilitar\' duty until
he had reached the ai^e of forty-five. This law was strictly
enforced and there was no way of evading it unless prevented
by some temporar\- sicknes... The law required that the rank
and file should drill two days in each year. These " drills "
were termed traininy;s, and were held in June and September.
The former was termed comixun- training;-, when only the mem-
bers of eacli individual compan)' a.ssembled and were instructed
in the manual of arms, or the science of war, by the captain,
or his under officers. The latter, or that held in September,
was termed General Training, or more properly General
Muster, when the companies of one or more Regiments, would
assemble upon one common parade ground, and where they
would be under the command of some field officer, accompan-
ied by a full staff.
Aside from these drills there was another drill held by the
officers and musicians in the month of August, and continued
for two days. This was termed an "officer's drill," and most
always the occasion would be honored by the presence of a
Colonel, who with all the rest would appear in full dress, and
as may be readily inferred, this band of plumed heroes were
much ob-served by all the small boys wdio were out in full
attendance. But the day of all others for Young America, and
those who loved the pomp and circumstance of glorious war,
was general muster. The ear-piercing fife and the spirit-stirring
drum would call the a.ssembled hosts to order. Then there
would be a hurrying to and fro on prancing steeds, who at the
sound of fife and drum seemed to possess the military .spirit
and zeal of the occasion, and would proudly keep step and
time to the martial strains, as rank upon rank was being formed
in line Then the officer in com.mand accompanied by his staff
would take charge of the field, and the troops would be drilled
in the manual of arms. These officers would be mounted on
richly caparisoned horses. Their bright uniforms were tasty,
and made of the most costly material ; their flashing sabers
hung from silken sashes; their heavy plumed caps and the
shimmer of their epaulets, reminded one of the splendor of
Oriental pageantry.
Sometime during the da)' the troops would be marshaled into
9
146 ATHLETIC SPORTS — SNOW SHOES.
line where the}- would be reviewed by the Brigade Inspector,
whose duty was to give to each soldier's arms, a personal
inspection.
The day would close with a solemn invocation to the Lord
of Hosts. The troops would be formed into a hollow square,
with the commanding officers and staff in the center, dis-
mounted. Then the Regimental Chaplain would step forth,
arms would be brought to rest and heads uncovered, while the}'
attentively listened to the brief religious exercises, and the
order w^ould be given to break ranks.
WRESTLIN(i.
In early times, the }'oung men at the most of the gatherings
indulged more or less in athletic sports, such as jumping, run-
ning and wrestling. Wrestling was the favorite, as it displayed
the skill, strength and agility of the contestants. A ring would
be formed and two of these modern gladiators would step in.
" Collar and elbow" or " square hold " was the favorite, and a
very exciting and spirited contest would be witnessed, until
one or the other had won a fall, then it was the dut}- of the
defeated to select some wrestler from those present to take his
place in the ring, and the sport would continue, and, as 'before
stated, the result depended on the strength, skill and agility of
the contestants. It has been known for one of these to enter
the ring and by his own personal prowess vanquish all com-
petitors. In such an event, he was accorded the champion, an
honor he had to maintain in all future rings and against all
aspiring competitors.
SNOW SHOES.
Hard as it was and rough as it ma}- appear to us of the pre-
sent day, the life of the pioneer during the long drear}- Winter
was not w-ithout its attractions. The log house had been made
comfortable b\' chinking it with moss and mud. and the great
open Dutch fire-place always lent its welcome cheer. If the
weather was severe the great forests shielded his abode from
the chilling winds that blow now so keenly from the North.
If his larder was supplied with a plenty of breadstuff, an exist-
ance more conducive to robustness, more free from artificial
worries and more hostile to disease in all its forms, cannot be
THE MERRY, OLD-FASIirONED DAN'CES.
^^7
conceived, and it was not witliout its creature comforts either.
What if the Winters w ere loni^ and the snows were deep, his
wood pile was near and in abundance. An liour's chopping or
thereabouts suppHed his stock with plenty of "browse." and if
his store of meat was ji^ettiui^ low, he knew tlie range of the
deer, and deep as the snow was he could reach them on his
trust}' " snow-shoes." These shoes were an indispensable arti-
cle to the earh' pioneer, and were made b\' bendin_L( two sticks
of any strong, fje.xible wood, about half an inch in thickness
and five feet long, as you would shape an ox-bow, by bringing
the ends together and firmh- fastening them. Two of these
formed the skeleton work for a right and left shoe. The skele-
tons were fineh' interlaced with strings of " moose wood." elm
bark, or more often the rawhide of the deer, in ever\- direction.
SNOW SHOES.
Straps were affixed in the center of these shoes similar to those
on skates, and the}' \\'ere read}' for use. These shoes brought
over three superficial feet of surface to the }-ielding snow, and
they enabled the hunter to trax'cl wherex'er he willed without
sinking: man}- times with his trust}- rifle across one shoulder
a deer across the other.
DAXCIXC.
Dancing in early times was a favorite pastime and was more
or less indulged in by old and young. Frequently during the
Winter, as the shadows of cx'ening deepened the gloom of the
forest, a sound of merriment would be heard at the home of
one of the settlers, perhaps on the occasion of a quilting or
148 THE"MONNIE MUSK " AND "SCOTCH REEL."
wedding, that would be kept up until near the hour of morn-
ing. There was a great deal of innocent hearty enjoyment in
one of these old fashioned dances. The old fashioned tunes
were rich in melody and the figures, though not so intricate as
some of the modern dances, yet they were more graceful, and,
perhaps, some might say, moral. The exercises frequently would
begin with the " monnie musk " and close with the " Scotch reel "
or " hunt the squirrel," where all could join in the dance. The
mode of traveling during the Winter through the woods, was
with ox team and sled and horses and sleigh, reference to this
has been made in another place, while in Summer, riding horse
back was common upon such occasions. The saddles of those
times most always had a " pillion," or padded cushion afifixed
to the rear of the seat. The rider would mount and if a part-
ner was to bear him company she took a seat in the rear upon
the " pillion " and away they would gallop through the woods
and "o'er hill and dale," withthegrace and ease of the ancient
cavaliers. Buggies were entirely unknown in those days. If
the occasion was a public dance, upon a holiday, the young
men would assemble three or four weeks previous and choose
three managers, whose duty was to make all the arrangements.
They issued the cards of invitation and no one was entitled to
join the dance unless formally invited. These managers con-
ducted the exercises in every respect ; secured the music, and,
if wines or liquors were to be used, they also obtained these
and fixed the price of admission. The dancing generally com-
menced sometimes in the afternoon and continued until near
morning. The landlord's duty was to furnish supper and a
hall and to see that the teams were properly cared for. The
friendliness and hearty good will existing among the families
of the early settlers added greatly to the interest and enjoy-
ment of the old fashioned pioneer dances.
THE GREAT WOLF HUNT OF 183O.
One of the greatest annoyances to the early settlers, and that
which occupied his night thoughts with the gravest concern,
was the depredations of the wolf upon the sheep fold. These
depredations were always to be found where deer and other game
abounded, and when impelled b}- the pangs of hunger, the
I
WOLVES AMONG THE SHEEP. I49
blood}- instinct of the cowardly animal was brought out in all
ferocity and a pack of them became a dangerous foe to man or
beast. They usually betook themselves to the fastness of some
great forest, where they would lay concealed until night had
drawn her sable curtain and then they would sally forth, and
woe unto the luckless farmer who had neglected to have his
sheep safe in the fold — for a bloody field of carnage would meet
his gaze the next morning — sheep with their throats torn open,
sheep with their sides bitten through, their vitals laid bare, and
their entrails dragging upon the ground ; some dead and some
in the last agonies of dissolution. This particular field might
be but a small part of the bloody work done that night, and
the day would perhaps bring the news that the floocks for
miles around had suffered from these same blood-thirst}' fleet-
footed marauders. Of course, this general slaughter of the
flocks aroused a just indignation in the breasts of the farmers,
and, on this particular occasion (1830), it was resolved upon to
turn out and surround them in their lair. Their retreat was
known to be in the west woods, a tract of land lying west and
northwest of Morton's Corners, some three miles square, extend-
ing north and south from the Morton's Corners road that leads
due west into Collins, to the old Genesee road three miles
north, and thence running west on these respective roads about
three miles, making an unbroken wilderness of about twelve
miles in circumference. This tract embraced the Reaver Mead-
ows and all that now known as New Michigan, which was at
that time very densel}- timbered. A day was designated and
word sent to the people of Concord, Collins and North Collins,
and they did not require a second bidding, but at the time
named, came flocking in b}' the scores. Leaders were chosen,
the territory in question surrounded, and the siege began from
all quarters, the objective point being the Beaver Meadow.
The lines were formed and those who carried arms were placed
in shooting range of each other. Horns were used as signals
and cow bells indicated the line of march, and every inch of
the ground was carefully patrolled, but for some cause no wolf
scalp was secured. The onl}- man that secured any trophy
that day was Windsor King. The noise startled a big buck
and he undertook to run the guard, but was " caught on the
1^0 DRIVING STOCK TO MARKET.
fly" and killed dead by King's unerring aim. It was claimed
by some that the wolves ran the guard on the south side and
made good their escape into the Otto woods. Be this as it
may, there was something at that time that gave them a terri-
ble fright tor they have never disturbed the flocks here since.
As to the numbers that were present at this hunt it has been
variously estimated, but it is safe to say that there were between
five and six hundred. The author, then twelve years of age,
was there.
DROVES AND DROVERS.
It is not more than thirty-five or forty years ago, since our
highways and thoroughfares used to teem with great herds of
horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. These " droves," as they were
usually termed, were mostl}' bred west of here and were
bought up by the local and eastern dealer, and driven hun-
dreds of miles to market, weeks being consumed on the way.
Of those who drove from this town we remember the names
of Augustus G. Elliott, John Van Pelt, Seth W. Godard, Geo.
Richmond and Aimer White, &c. At times as high as two or
three hundred head of cattle would be contained in one drove and
would require the assistance of three or four men to take charge
of them. Usually the proprietor would be mounted and as
the day waned he would gallop in advance and look out for a
stopping place for the night. The most favorable times for
"driving" was after the haying season had passed, as the
" rowen " or " aftermath " on the meadows, afforded the travel-
worn stock a fresh and bountiful repast for the night. Fifteen
and twenty miles a da)' would be usuall}' made by the cattle
droves, while those whose droves were made up exclusively of
horses and mules nearly double that distance would be accom-
plished. If the drove were hogs, usuall)' a team would accom-
pany them and feeci would sometimes be carried from one
station to the next one ahead, but as a general rule the farmers
along the way were abundantly able to entertain man and beast
for one night. Sheep would be driven in herds of several
hundred and after driving a da)' or so, they would become so
tractable that two men and a shepherd dog would take charge
of the largest flocks. Usually the drove would be supplied with
HUNTING I-'OR THE LOST CTHLD. ' 151
one " bell weather," which took the lead and the rest were cer-
tain to follow. After the introduction of steam and the advent
of the stock car, a great change has taken place in supplying
the Eastern markets with stock. Hardly as many hours are
now required under the new order of things as days were con-
sumed under the old.
THE LOST HOY.
Some time in the Fall of 1828 or '29, Arey Smith, a farmer,
lived on a farm south of the Jones place, some three miles south
of Springville, across the Cattaraugus creek. His family con-
sisted of a wife and a son by another woman, a bright little lad
some ten years old. The story goes that the last that was seen
of the boy his stepmother sent him with a basket to the log-
ging field where his father and several men were at work. His
basket was afterwards found on the way, but never after was a
trace of the missing boy found. "One touch of nature makes
the whole world kin," and when it became known that a little
boy was missing the great public heart for many miles around
was touched, and men came in from all directions to join in
the search. By sunrise on the following day the child hunters
were formed in line and the search began and extended for
man)' miles and was continued for more than a week. Every
conceivable spot and place where the boy might be concealed
was closely examined. It was understood that should any
traces of the lost one be found a signal should be given by the
firing of a gun. One day the welcome signal was heard, and
soon the cry of "child found" was raised, and the hunters
rushed to headquarters ; but it was a mistake due to one of the
searcher's over zeal, taking the tracks of a young bear for
those of the missing child. It is said that the search was so
thorough that all the missing cow-bells were found. The shores
of the streams were examined for ten or fifteen miles for the
foot-prints of the little wanderer, but without avail. In the
course of time, everybody gave up the search as hopeless, and
many theories were advanced concerning his disappearance.
Some held that the little boy had been stolen by the
Indians ; others that he had fallen a prey to the ravenous
appetites of wild beasts; while suspicion pointed strongly to
152 LARGE FLOCKS OF WILD PIGEONS.
Smith or his wife or both as the ones responsible for his dis-
appearance. Be this as it ma}-, the father and mother have
long been dead, and the grave has set its seal forever on the
solution of this mystery.
PIGEONS.
In early times every year that the beech forests produced
their fruit, this bird flocked here in countless numbers and they
were hailed as were the quail by the famishing Israelites in the
wilderness. Their nesting grounds and roost were chosen in
the fastness of the great forest, awa)' from the settlers. To-
wards evening they would commence winging their way from
their feeding grounds to the roost and for hours one ceaseless
stream of birds would pour into this retreat. After dark the
hunter \\ould repair to this ground armed with a shot gun and
in a very short time he could secure more than he could carry
away by a promiscuous firing into the tops of the trees. Those
who had nets and a tame pigeon for a deco}-, secured them
alive by the thousand. During the nesting season the old
birds became a great pest to the settler as they were sure to
forage upon the crops of early-sowed grain. The Indians used
to secure them in great numbers b)- watching the nesting
grounds and just before the young bird had learned to use its
wings, they would camp upon these grounds and make a gen-
eral harvest. The pigeon roost at night was a wild and weird
field of action and excitement, especially after the hunters (I
have known five and six different parties in the same woods at
once) had begim to stir them up all over the nesting grounds
by the noise and blaze of their guns. The woods were literally
alive with them and a light would be instantly extinguished by
the current of air set in motion by the m}-riad of wings. These
birds would rise with the morning sun above the tops of the
trees and wing their way for miles and miles out to the feeding
grounds. The noise they made when leaving the roost resem-
bled that of distant thunder or the roar of mighty waters, and
so dense would be their flight at times that the sun for many
minutes would be hid as beneath a cloud. At one time they
nested on the Buttermilk; another, between Frye hill and Mor-
ton's creek. One year upon the Smith brook, and again in
THE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST, ETC. 1 53
tlic north [)art of the town, west of the Eighteen mile creek.
Tlie}- also nestetl in tlie Otto woods.
•rnANKS(;rviNG.
The pioneers of these towns were mostly from New Eng-
land and came of Puritan stock, and they observed Thanks-
giving day to a considerable extent after the manner of their
forefathers, and although the fields did not, in every instance,
produce in fruit and grain in such abundance as they might
desire, still the early settler felt when the harvest moon waned
that there was a great deal in his wilderness home to be grate-
ful for. The seed that he had planted and sowed on his newly
cleared grounds had not been barren of results. Health and
strength had been vouchsafed during seed-time and harvest,
and he could look forward to the coming winter and feel
assured that his wx'll-garnered store was abundant and as the
appointed day drew near when the grateful hearts join in a
general thanksgiving to Him who causeth the out-going of the
morning and maketh the evening rejoice, and "who appointeth
the seed-time and the harvest," appropriate preparations were
made for its observance. It was a season when the family
circle and kindred were expected to meet beneath some famil\-
roof-tree and there to partake of the bounty of the land.
The out-door oven was made to contribute its share of good
things in the way of cakes, puddings and the immortal pump-
kin pie, while the great open fire-place with its back-log and
fore-stick piled high with beech and maple not onh' sent out
its welcome and ruddy cheer but its broad and open bosom
was made the receptacle for various dishes that needed the
generous heat to prepare them for the feast. Fhe iron dinner-
pot hung from the chain or trammel on the lug-pole and boiled
and bubbled while the tea-kettle simmered and sung in the
corner and by its side was the earthern or Britannia tea-pot in
readiness to dispense " the bcxerage that cheers but not ine-
briates."
Rut the crowning glory of all and that which occupied the
good wife's greatest care was the roasting turkey that was sus-
pended by a string in front of the fire and so near that in the
course of two or three hours, by continual turning and basting.
154 THE THAXlCSGIVlXd DIXXER.
it was ready for the table. A dripping-pan was placed on the
hearth beneath the turkey and a ladle or a large spoon length-
ened by the addition of a wooden-handle, was used to dip the
gravy from the dripping-pan and pour it over the turkey as it
was constantly turned by the string.
When all was in readiness, and with appetites made keen with
waiting, around the generous board were gathered old and
young and a bountiful dinner was enjo)'ecl. After which per-
haps pipes and tobacco for the aged would be introduced and
the day would be passed in social intercourse, and we young-
sters of fifty or sixt}' years ago always felt like blessing
the man who first invented roast turke\'s and Thanksgi\'ing
dinners.
The following lines, describing the accidental meeting of a
family, although penned many years after the scenes described
above were enacted, are eminent!}' fitting and suggesti\e of the
old-time Thanksgiving re-unions:
We are all here I
Father, Mother,
Sister, Brother,
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled—we're all a/ home !
To-night let no cold stranger come ;
It is not often thus around
Our old familiar hearth we're found ;
Bless, then, the meeting and the spot ;
For once be every care forgot ;
Let gentle Peace assert her power,
And kind Affection rule the hour ;
We're all — all here.
We're not all here !
Some are away — the dead ones dear,
Who thronged with us this ancient hearth,
And gave the hour to guiltless mirth.
Fate, with a stern, relentless hand,
Looked in and thinned our little band ;
Some like a night-fiash passed away,
And some sank, lingering, day by day :
The quiet grave-yard — some lie there —
And cruel Ocean has its share —
We're tiot all here.
" we'rk ai.l— ALi, Hp^.rk." 155
We on- all here !
Even they— the dead— though dead, so dear •
Fond Memory, to her duty true,
Brings back their faded forms to view.
How life-like, through the mist of years,
Each well-remembered face appears I
We see them as in times long past.
From each to each kind looks are cast ;
We hear their words, their smiles behold,
They're round us as they were of old —
We are all here.
We are all here !
Father, Mother,
Sister, Brother,
You that I love with love so dear.
lliis may not long of us be said ;
Soon must we join the gathered dead ;
And by the hearth we now sit round.
Some other circle will be found.
Oh ! then, that wisdom may we know,
Which yields a life of peace below ;
So, in the world to follow this,
May each repeat, in words of bliss:
We're all — all Jiete !
156 CHRISTOPHER STONE AND OTHERS.
CHAPTER XV.
HISTORY OP CONCORD.
The First Settlers — Land Sales — The First Deed — Early Roads — The First Set-
tlers on Each Lot — Hotels, Mills aid Manufactories — Professional Men,
Merchants, Traders and Mechanics— '' Fiddlers Green" — Mails, Mail
Routes and Post-Offices— Land Owners in 1S45— Concord's Soldier
Record — Churches — Societies — Springville Academy — Schools and
Teachers— Miscellaneous.
THE FIRST SETTLERS OF CONCORD.
This honor belongs to Christopher Stone, and, although the
author has made diligent research for records concerning the
birth, nativity and early histor)' of the man, still his efforts
have been in vain and from whence he came or whither he went
is an unsolved mystery. The records of the Holland Land
Company show that Christopher Stone, on the 2nd day of De-
cember, 1807, articled lot 3 containing 357 acres, also on the
same day articled lot 9 containing 245 acres, and on the follow-
ing day, December 3d, articled lot 14 containing 185 acres, all of
T. 6, R. 6. The greater portion of the Village of Springville is
located on the two former lots. His cabin was on Buffalo
street, on a lot now owned and occupied by William Joslyn,
and stood very near the latter's residence. Stone must have
sold the north part of lot 3 to John Albro prior to 1810, on
which the latter built a log house and barn, for, in the Summer
of 1 8 10, we learn that the said barn was used as a school room.
The south part of lot 3 was sold to Rufus Eaton, and posses-
sion was given in the Spring of 18 10. After selling out here.
Stone did not remain but a short time. In the Summer of
18 10, he lived up b\' the big spring and his children attended
.■!.chool. His son, Lucius, was the first white child born in the
town. It is conceded by all that John Albro was the next set-
tler, and that Stone and Albro with their families, were the sole
inhabitants that passed the Winter of 1807 in the Town of
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN I5URIAI.. 157
Concord. Tlic imagination of the reader will naturally turn
back to that period in our histor\-, to these pioneer families
and their immediate surroundings. It was fully ten miles to
the nearest settlement and the way was rendered almost im-
passible by the snows of Winter and the obstacles to be sur-
mounted in journeying through an unbroken wilderness. And,
again, will the reader's thoughts go back to the infant settle-
ment on the following Summer, when death, the unwelcomed
guest at all seasons and places, had invaded the home of John
Albro, and rendered it desolate by removing his wife. The oc-
casion of that burial in the woods must have been one of ex-
treme solemnity, as the hardy pioneers who had come from a
distance, gathered around that cofifined form and bore it away
to rest beneath the deep shadows of the mighty forest. This
was the first Christian burial in the town. In the Fall of 1808.
the population of the new settlement was augmented by the
families of Deacon John Russell and Samuel Cochran. The for-
m-cr articled the whole of lot i, upon which he built a log cabin.
This stood on the northeast corner of the lot north of Franklin
street, near where it turns to the northwest up the hill. Samuel
Cochran articled one hundred acres on the south part of lot 2.
His cabin stood on the north part of his claim, at the foot of
the hill near Miss Goddard's residence. Albro went east and
the families of Stone, Cochran and Russell were the only inhabi-
tants in the town in the Winter of 1808. From 1808, up to the
declaration of war, 1812, settlers came in cjuite fast and we find
by the records and by further investigation, that previous to the
first of January, 181 5, about eighty-five settlers had located in
the present limits of the Town of Concord (although some of
them did not remain permanently) but the list on the following
page docs not include their families.
158
KAMES OF THE FIRST SETTLERS IN CONCORD.
NAMES OF PERSONS SETTLING PREVIO
IN SPR.INGVILLE.
Christopher Stone
John Albro.
Samuel Cochran.
Joseph Yaw.
Rufus Flaton.
David Stickney
David Leroy.
Isaac Knox.
Samuel Burgess
EAST AND NORTHEAST OF
SPRINGVH-LE.
Chris. Douglas.
Benj. Douglas.
Asa Cary.
Joshua Mathewson.
Hale Mathewson.
Xoah Culver.
Deacon Jennings.
James Bascom.
Benjamin Gardner. James Henman.
Elijah Perigo. .Doctor Rumsev.
David Stannard.
Jery L. Jenks.
Wm. Wright.
Nathan King.
Almon Fuller,
SOUTH OF THE VILLAGE.
ON THE CREEK.
David Shultus.
George Shultus.
William Shultus.
Moses White.
Frances White.
Truman White.
Enoch Chase.
Abner Chase.
Henry Hackett.
IN THE NORTHWEST COR-
NER OF THE TOWN.
Isaiah Pike.
James Pike.
Lewis Trevitt.
John Ures.
Je.ssie Putnan.
Thos. M. Barrett.
Reuben Metcalf.
Sylvenus Kingsley.
Comfort Knapp.
Arad Knapp.
NORTH OF SPRtN(;V(LLE.
Giles Churchill
Luther Curtis.
Luther Hibbard.
John Drake.
Jacob Drake.
Elijah Dunham.
Seneca Baker.
Benj. C. Foster.
ON TOWNSEND HILL.
Jonath'n Townsend
Uzial Townsend.
Amaziah Ashman.
Benjamin Fay.
Solomon Field.
James Stratton.
Samuel Stewart.
Thomas McGee.
IN THE CHAFFEE NKIGH-
RORHOOD.
Julius Bement.
Elihu Bement.
us TO JAN. I, 1815.
j IN THE COOPER NEIGH-
BORHOOD.
I Samuel Cooper.
Smith Russel.
i Cary Clemens.
< James Brown.
Obadiah Brown.
Channing Trevitt.
James Armisteatl.
j John Clemens.
I Isaac Lush.
Hira Lush.
Ezra Lush.
Daniel Lush.
Capt. J. Hanchett.
NORTH PART OF TOWN ON
EIGHTEEN MILE CREEK.
Lyman Drake.
Geo. Killom.
James Thurber.
NORTHWEST UF VILLAGE.
John Russell.
Gideon Parsons.
Mr. Stevens.
DOWN THE CREEK SOUTH-
WEST OF SPRINCIVILLE.
Wm. Smith.
Elijah Pamenter.
Luther Pratt.
NICHOLS CORNERS.
Sylvenus Cook.
Nehemiah Paine.
NORTHEASTERN PART OF
TOWN.
There were no set-
tlers in this part of
the town.
THE EAKLV LAND r)WM:RS.
'59
NAMES OF PERSONS BUYING LAND FROM THE HOLLAND
COMPANY.
The followini; tables show the name of each person who
boui^lit land of the Holland Comi^an)' within the limits of the
present Town of Concord, the number of the lot, the number
of acres purchased, ;ind the price paid :
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SIX.
NAME.
Christopher Stone .
Christopher Stone.
Christopher Stone .
(rcorge Richmond .
Samuel Cochrane. .
Joseph Yau
John Russell
Benjamin Douy;lass
Calvin Doolittle. . .
David Shultus. . . .
.Vpollos Hitciicock
Moses White
Klihu Bement
.Vlmon Fuller
Isaac Knox
Cijors^'e Shuhus . . .
Truman White. . . .
Moses White
\o.ih Culver
Samuel Burgess...
Rufus Eaton
Hale Mathewson. .
(ieorge Richmond.
(Oliver Dearth
.\lva Plumb
Benjamin Rhodes.
Benjamin Rhodes.
Luther Austin . . . .
Alva Plumb
.Moses Wiiite
-Silas Rushmore. . .
William Weeden . .
1807.
1807,
1807,
1807,
1 80S,
1808,
1 80S,
1 809.
1809,
I8I0,
1810.
I8IO,
I8I0,
I8I0,
i8ro.
I -^lo
1 8 10,
1810,
1811,
1811.
1812.
18 1 3.
1813.
1 8 14.
1815.
1815,
1815.
1 8 1 5 .
181 5,
1 8 16,
18 16,
1820.
DAri:.
Dec. 2..
Dec. 2. .
Dec. 3..
Dec. 22
June 8..
June 8. .
Sept. I .
June 3..
June [2
June 8..
June 8. .
June 28
Sept. 1 1
Sept. 28
Oct. 16.
Oct. 29.
Dec. 3 1 .
Dec. 3 1 .
Sept.25
Dec. 31
July 12.
Oct. 27.
Nov. 12
Dec. 7..
Mar. 20
July 6..
Oct. 14.
Oct. 24.
Nov. 9 .
Sspt. 17
Oct. 19.
Mar. 16
LAinD.
' 0 • •
19...
1 14..
1 23 & 24
S pt 1 2 .
n pt 1 2 .
1 I
1 4 & 10..
1 20
[ 22
1 21.! ...
1 18
n pt 1 II
I25
n pt 1 8. .
1 19
1 16
1 17
s-w p 1 5 .
w pt 1 8 .
s-e pt 1 8
s-e pt 1 5
n-e pt 1 5
sptl7..
w pt 1 7 .
n pt 1 7. .
1 12
s pt 1 II
cKin pt 1 3
s-w pt 1 8
1 15
s-e pt 1 13
s-wpt 1 1 3
Acres
357
Price
1
$715
254
490
185
257
370
643
100
200
247
266
523
494
556
1086
150
375
140
350
125
312
128
320
150
375
157
393
150
375
126
315
135
337
'57
397
125
343
1 10
45
300
136
113
76
339
288
100
325
100
75
60
325
262
240
'50
577
91
loS
341
488
100
82
450
369
1
Pau)
Down.
$3600
4 00
15 00
34 00
10 00
' 5 75
I 00
12 00
1875
12 GO
16 GO
16 GO
19 GO
2G GG
19 GG
16 GG
17 GG
17 GO
17 GO
15 GO
17 GO
17 GO
9 GG
16 GO
16 GO
13 00
12 GO
28 GO
17 GO
24 GO
22 GO
15 GO
i6o
NAMES OF PERSONS BUYING LAND
* By Deed . But very few of the old settlers took deeds of their land al the time of pur-
chase, but took instead a contract, or, as it was then called, an " article," by which they were
allo.ved to pay for their land in six equal annual installments, after which they received a
deed. It was the custom, however, of the Holland Company to give a second article al the
end of the six years if any of the money remained unpaid, providing^ there was a prospect of
its being finally paid.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SIX.
Namk.
Luther Hibbard
John Albro
Ehjah Dunham
Jedediah Cleveland.. .
Gideon Parsons
James Vaughan
Samuel Cooper
Benjamin Foster
Seneca Baker
Philip Van Horn
John McAllister
Luther Curtis
*Luther Curtis
Josiah Fay
Jonathan Townsend . .
Benjamin Fay
Fred. Richmond
William Wright
Benjamin Sibley &
Joshua Agard
David Cunningham. . .
James Miller
Samuel Bunnell
Calvin Warren
Timothy Moors
William Smith
Calvin Warren
Ebenezer Ferrin
David Leroy
David Leroy
Orrin Sibley
Giles Churchill
James Downs
Simeon Bishop, jr. .. .
Luther Landon
William Southworth . .
1807,
1808.
1808,
1808,
1808,
1809,
1 809,
I8I0.
1 8 10,
1810,
1 8 10,
1810,
1810,
1810,
1810,
1811,
1812,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1815,
181 I,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1816,
i3i6,
1816,
1816.
1816,
1816,
1816,
1816,
Date.
Dec. 2.
Jan. 14
Jan. 14
Aug. 2-]
Nov. I
Oct. I I
Oct. I 1
Mav 3.
May 3.
June 19
Aug. I.
Aug. 31
Aug. 31
Oct. I .
Oct. I .
Nov. 9
May 6.
May 9.
May 15
May 15
May 23
June 5
Sept. 3(
Nov. 4
Oct. 30
Oct. 30
Nov. 28
Mar. 12
Mar. 12
April 25
Oct. 26.
Aug. I .
Oct. 23.
Oct. 28.
Oct. 26.
La.M).
n pt 1 41
s pt 1 50
n pt 1 50
1 49 ... .
157....
I25....
l33--..
\\ pt 1 5 I
e pt 1 5 I
w pt 1 58
1 28 ..^. .
n pt 1 42
s pt 1 42.
159---
1 60 ... .
e pt 1 58
w pt 1 27
e pt 1 34
1 63 ... .
e pt 1 64
w pt 1 56
s pt I 35
1 54 ■ • • •
w pt 1 26
pt I34..
n pt 1 62
wpt 1 52
n pt 1 35
e pt 1 36
s pt 1 55
s pt 1 41
1 29 ... .
e pt 1 26
w pt 1 47 .
pt 1 56 . . .
AcuES. Price
165
165
341
300
360
374
252
100
145
350
273
100
301
293
145
120
100
295
266
200
100
366
100
100
100
!20
100
100
100
60
376
245
125
100
$666
330
' 330
; 683
600
720
i 748
I 567
22--,
326
:. 787
682
200
752
732
, 435
360
325
I 958
734
I 700
i 350
1 1 260
300
375
350
450
375
375
400
; 285
. 846
1102
562
450
FROM THE II(M,I,AM) COMPANV.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SIX— Coniinuec/.
l6l
Namk.
Jcdcdiah Cleveland. . .
C}'rus Cliene\'
ICphraim Need ham . . .
William Chapin
William Yaw
John Pratt
John Rector
Abraham Middaugh. .
Christopher Douglas . .
Sillick Canfield
Aaron Cole
William Southworth, jr
Nathan Goddard
E. A. Briggs
David Smith
Stephen Pnitt
Date.
Land.
Orrin Sible\- !
Reuben Thurber [
Ethan Fember
Sala W. Barnes
Prentis Stanbro. .'....]
Henry J. Vosburg. . . .
Calvin Smith
Jonathan Mayo j
Elam May
Andrew Pember
Sala W. Barnes
Henr)' Ingalls
William Wright
William A. Calkins. . .'
W. Smith
Josiah Wheeler
Constant Trevett
Jonathan Griffith
S\-lvester Frink
Jabez &HoratioChapin
Franklin Twichcll ....
Robert Flint
Ezra & Homer Barnes
Hezekiah Griffith
William Baker
lO
8i6
817
817
817
817
817
817
817
817
818
818
819
819
820
822
823
824
826
827
827
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
828
829
829
829
828
830
S31
«^3>
831
832
832
832
8^,2
Aug. 7 . .
April 14
June 5 . .
June 16.
July 17..
Aug. 5 . .
Oct. 8. . .
Nov. 29.
Dec. 24.
May. 29,
Jan. 31.
Feb. 26
Nov. 5 .
Oct. 2. .
Oct. I . .
May 22
Sept. 23
Sept. 9.
Ma}' 8. .
June 10
Mar. SI.
Mar. 24.
Mar. 24.
Mar. 24.
Mar. 12.
Mav 13.
Oct. 15.
Dec. 5 .
April 21
Oct. 10.
Dec. 25.
Dec. 25.
Oct. 7.".
Sept. 2S
Mrv 16.
Feb. 24.
April 23
Feb. 10.
Feb. ]0.
Dec. 3 I .
Dec. I 7.
Acres. Price
w pt 1 1 8 . .
pt I35....
pt 1 45 . . . .
pt I45. ...
n pt 1 39 . .
pt 1 47 . . . .
n pt 1 40. . .
w pt 1 34 . . .
pt I35
n i)t 1 46. . .
pt 1 46
e pt 1 56. ..
n pt 1 26 . . .
e pt 1 68 . . .
pt I45
1 13,30, 31 &
pt 1 39 . . .
s-e pt 1 55..
pt 1 46
n pt 1 56. . .
n-w pt 1 39 .
n-w pt I 43. .
s-w pt 1 29 .
pt 1 43
pt 1 43
e pt 1 44. . .
n-w pt 1 64 .
pt 1 40
.s-w pt 1 64 .
n-e pt 1 29 . .
pt 1 56 ,
n-e pt I34. •!
e pt 1 56. . .i
n-w pt 1 60.
n-w pt i 37 .
pt 1 46 . . ^. . .
pt 1 45
s pt 1 6 1 . . . .
pt 1 39
n i)t 1 32 . . .
n pt I38...'
pt 1 37 ;
260
100
100
1 00
100
100
100
155
78
100
100
90
50
123
100
1391
50
50
50
100
100
94
50
75
50
50
50
54
90
50
50
90
50
60
50
100
75
164
100
116
50
800
450
450
475
475
475
455
738
390
475
475
427
226
525
475
3823
275
225
225
500
400
376
200
300
200
200
200
216
352
225
i 212
I 382
217
240
200
420
300
664
448
537
, 200
l62 NAMES OF PERSONS HUVING LAND
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SlX — ConUnmc/.
Name.
Purroy Wilson
George D. Williams. . .
Elijah B. Williams.. . .
John Wilson
Abel Merryman
Caleb Abbott
Frances Ferren
William Judd
Milan Holly
* William Judd
James L. Bacon
Smith & Horatio Buys
Richard Luddick
Jesse Ferren
Samuel Haines
Bela Graves
Silas Wheelock
John Griffith
William Smith, jr
William Smith, jr
William Griffith
William Field
William Olin
*Sylvester Abbott . . .
Arnold Cranston '
Joseph Cottrell I
John Cottrell
John Philips
Peter Kinner
Abram Gardinier
Sylvester Abbott
Calvin Smith >
Samuel A. Jocoy
David Campbell
Prentis Stanbro
Edward Cram
Henry Akely
David Meeker
Henry J. Vosburg. . . .
*Rebecca Putnam ....
Barney Graff ]
E. A. Briggs
832
832
832
832
832
832
832
833
833
833
833
833
833
833
833
833
833
833
834
834
834
835
835
835
835
836
836
836
836
836
836
836
836
836
836
837
837
837
837
837
839
841
Date.
P\'b. 10 .
Feb. 24 .
Feb. 24 .
Feb. 24 .
Aug. 1 1 .
Jan. 31 . .
Dec. 18 .
July 20. .
July 20. .
July 8...
Nov. 8. .
Nov. 8 . .
Nov. 8. .
Dec. 17 .
Dec. 18 .
Jan. 14. .
Feb. 8. .
May 22..
May 21..
Jan. 8. . .
Dec. 25 .
Jan. 22 . .
Dec. 30 .
May 5...
June 16
Sept. 16.
Sept. 16.
Oct. 6.. .
Oct. 6...
Sept. 13.
Dec. I . .
Dec. 31..
Dec. 6. . .
Dec. 6. . .
Oct. 13. .
Nov. 13.
Jan. 6. . .
Aug. 1 1 .
April 12
June 19..
Feb. 2.. .
Mar. 10.
pt 1 40 .
pt 1 40.
pt 1 40. .
pt 1 40. .
pt 1 40. .
w pt 1 48
s-e pt 1 29 .
n-\v pt 1 31
s-w pt 1 3 1 .
w pt 1 32
pt 1 32..
pt 1 32. .
pt 1 32 . .
pt 152..
w pt 1 36
w pt 1 38
ptl38. ...
s-e pt 1 38.
ptl 44. ...
s-\v pt 1 75
s-\v pt 1 38.
s-w pt 1 62
pt 1 29. .
ptl 56..
pt 1 44. .
pt 130..
e pt 1 30
s e pt 1 3 1 .
s e pt 1 62.
n w pt 1 29
n e pt 1 55
n e pt 1 43
n e pt 1 44
s e pt 1 44
w pt 1 44.
pt 1 36. . . .
n w pt 1 61
pt 1 36. .
pt 1 57-
pt 1 37-
pt 1 37-
pt 1 53-
50
50
50
58
100
47
66
34
50
50
100
56
60
100
62
100
3f
qo
45
67
50
47
90
120
100
100
50
98
94
100
96
70
70
100
59
50
100
50
50
50
75
FROM rilH HOl.LAXl) COMPANY.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE ^\\—Conli,nuJ.
163
Name.
Date.
1 84 1, Mar. 10..
1 84 1, Oct. 23..
1 841, Nov. I . .
1837. Jan. 5...'
Lanu.
Acres.
Price
Albert Sliippy
Edward (loddard
Henry Dye
Wheeler Drake
spt I 53...
pt 1 53----
pt 1 61
w pt 1 47 . .
90
50
25
125
451
250
100
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SEVEN.
Ephraim Hall
Ahaz Allen
Peter Pratt
Amiah Rogers
Geori^e Hicks
Nathan Hicks
Jessee F"rye
Enoch N. Frye
Simeon Bishop, jr . . . .
David Bowen
Zina Fenton
Moses M. Frye
Jeremiah Richardson.
Elijah Richardson. . .
Chandler C. Foster. .
Day Knii^ht
John Battles
Simeon Holton
Alanson Richardson.
Price F. Kellogi,^
Nathaniel Knight ...
Simeon Holton
Elijah Richardson.. .
Stephen Kni^^ht
Jeremiah Richardson
James Field
Joshua Steele
Enoch X. I'Vye
Elias Van Camp
Elijah Richardson . . . .
J essee Frye
Giles H. Newton
Jeremiah Richardson
James Tyrer
809
8 10
811
811
815
815
816
817
816
823
821
825
815
815
816
816
815
823
823
815
<^23
815
816
816
827
830
831
«32
«34
829
835
835
'^35
«35
May 2 .
Dec. 3 .
Oct. 8..
Jan. 19.
Feb. I T
1-^eb. 1 1
July II.
Oct. 31 .
Sept. I .
July 1 1.
Dec. 24.
Dec. 13
Nov. 28
Nov. 28
Aug. 27
Aug. 13
Oct. 26.
Mar. 10
June 1 1
April 17
Aug. 14
Dec. I 5
July 15-
Sept. 20
Jan. 10.
Sept. 7.
Aug. 19
Feb. 21.
Oct. 25.
Dec. 24
July 28.
April 15
May 2..
Sept. 2 .
D/
1 56
1 58
1 46
e pt
I 47
148
^\' pt I 49
pt 1 49 . . .
1 59
1 60
pt 1 49 . .
w pt 1 61
s-e pt 1 9 1
e pt 1 91
pt 1 81 .
n pt 1 8 1
n pt 1 82
pt 1 8 1 .
s pt 1 81
n pt 1 72
pt 1
pt 1
pt 1
spt
pt 1
pt 1
pt 1
pt ■
81 .
90.
90.
I 90
91.
49-
82.
62.
w pt 1 73
n-e pt 1 9
pt 1 62.
w pt 1 89
w pt 1 91
pt 1 89.
114
79
102
50
138
175
100
150
172
159
70
75
100
100
100
100
140
50
65
160
60
120
100
142
50
50
50
75
50
55
50
75
80
60
342
357
150
517
656
400
750
688
686
315
300
350
350
400
400
490
200
260
520
240
420
400
603
200
200
200
300
200
220
200
300
320
240
164 NAMES or PERSONS BUYING LAND
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SE\Y.^—ConCinueii.
Name.
Lyman Steele
John Van Pelt. . . .
Luther Thompson .
Robert Trumball . .
Stephen Kniijht .. .
Amos Stanbro
Jeremiah Richardson
Charles Printjle
Thomas Davis ,
*James S. Frye
EHzor Stocking
Tristram Dodge
Austin Pratt . .^
Stephen Williams. . .
John A. Williams . . . .
Heman W. Williams. .
Stephen Churchill . . . .
Mason Hicks
Simeon Holton
Alanson P. Morton . . .
Matthias Heath
Milo M. Baker
David German
Isaac Nichols
Isaac Nichols
James Wheeler
Stephen Ingersoll . . . .
Joseph Hammond, jr. .
George W. Richardson
*Eleanor Curtis
James Wheeler
David Witherel
Hosea P. Ostrander. . .
William Smith
Asahel Nye
Ephraim Hall
John Williams
Otis Buttervvorth
Jedediah Cleaveland..
Date.
835
836
836
836
836
837
837
837
843
824
839
831
824
829
819
843
842
832
836
838
836
842
830
829
838
836
831
836
844
832
836
837
842
Si I
812
809
825
816
816
Oct. 27.
Sept. 3.
Aug. 31
Aug. 17
Nov. 2.
P'eb. 20
July 8..
Dec. 7 .
July 17.
July 10.
Feb. 28.
Jan. 19 .
Dec.
Jan.
-/
May 3..
May 30.
Jan. 15.
June 5.
Aug. 12
Feb. 7 .
Dec. 29
June 25
Dec. 31.
Dec. 29.
Dec. 24.
Dec. 29.
June 2 .
Aug. 31
April 23
June 29
Dec. 29.
Oct. II.
Jan. 15.
June 27
April 9.
May 2..
Nov. 26
May 30.
Aug. 7.
Land.
Acres 1 Price
Pt
Pt
pt 1
pt 1
w pt
1 90.
1 87.
1 72.
1 82.
79 &
e pt 1 80
pt 1 80 . . .
n pt 1 7 1 . .
w pt 1 80.
pt 1 73...
n-w pt 1 49
pt 1 49 ... .
159
158
1 56 & e pt
57
1 56
w pt 1 6 1 . .
n-e pt 1 72.
pt 1 48 . . . .
n-w pt 1 72
n pt 1 8 1 . .
pt 1 81
pt 1 81 .. ..
s pt 1 8 1 . .
pt 1 91....
n-w pt 1 90
pt 1 91....
n pt 1 90. .
pt 1 72 . . . .
n-e pt 1 91 .
e pt 1 90 . .
pt 1 90. ...
n-w pt 1 82
pt 1 81.. ..
e pt 1 53
s pt 1 66
w pt 1 67
w pt 1 67.
s pt ] 68 .
n pt 1 68 .
e pt 1 86.
&
30
50
50
30
1 00 400
1 00 400
240
100
50
74
70
172
79
175
125
75 I 431
130 I 715
95 I 433
30 172
100 615
60
60
65
45
60
45
60
60 240
55
70
100
49
100
158
50
141
70
100
100
FROM THE HOLLAND COMPANY.
TOWNSHIP SLX. RANGt SEVEyi—Cou/i/irtec/.
l6:
Name.
Date.
Land.
Acres.
Price
Stillman Andrews. . . .
1828, Aug. 21 .
n pt 1 66 . . .
^o
200
loel Chaffee
1828, Nov. 26.
s pt 1 77 .. .
Ptl 77
FOO
400
200
Veter Bost
1831, July I...
50
Alanson Loveless ....
1832, Jan. 9. ..
e pt 1 67 . . .
61
244
Ebenezer Dibble
1832, Jan. II..
pt 1 77
40
178
Almar White
1833, Sept. 7..
pt 1 77
65
260
John Van Pelt
1836, Sept. 3..
pt 1 87
.SO
200
John Van Pelt
1836, July 25..
n pt 1 78 &
s pt 1 87..
100
400
Kichard Dowd
1836, Aug. 5..
pt 1 87
100
400
Nancv Harkness
1837, Feb. 27..
pt 186
so
200
Charles Watson
1837, March 15
pt 1 78
2S
100
John Williams
1837, Sept. 21.
s pt 1 69 . . .
70
282
Edward Blodgett
1841, Oct. 14..
n pt 1 69 . . .
100
Lansing Tooker
1841, Sept. 15 .
w pt 1 86 . . .
184
735
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEN.
James Brown
John Clemens
George Killom
John Stewart
Amaziah Ashman . . . .
Solomon Field
Thomas M. Barrett.. .
Sylvenus S. Kingsley.
Ebenezer F. Pike
Jessee Putnam, jr
Samuel Abbott
John H. Cuming
Benjamin C. Pratt. . . .
Joseph Yaw
1809,
1809,
1806,
1809,
1809,
1809,
1810,
1 8 1 o,
1810,
1 8 10,
1810,
1 8 10,
1810,
1 8 10.
Oct. 16
Oct. 16
Sept. 3c
Oct. 24
Oct. 24
Sept. 8
Jan. 1 1
Jan. 18
June 7
Jan. 10
June 7
Sept. 7
April 23
Jan. 18
1 8 10, Aug. 2
1 8 10, Mar. 5
18 10, Nov. 29
Obadiah Brown ....
■"Thomas M. Barrett
Comfort Knapp. . . .
Joseph Hanchett i 181 1, Feb 20
James Pike 18 10, June 7
Thomas McGec. . . .
Smith Russell
Lyman Drake
1 8 10, April 23
1 8 10, May 5.
181 1, May 27.
w pt 1 20. . .
167^
e 1/ 1 201 . <
67
n y, 1 24 . . .
168
e pt 1 4. ...
168
w pt 1 4. . . .
169
1 3
3^7
n-e pt 1 40..
93i
1 31
409
1 22
319
w 14 1 23...
203
1 39
424
n ><138...
172
e pt I 21..-.
164
1 19 & n pt
1 18
492
e>^ 1 28 . .
191
s-e pt 1 40 . .
. 50
n-e pt 1 48. .
100
w >^ 1 21 ..
164
1 30
330 ;
1 II
343 .
w pt 1 I 2 . . .
177
n pt 1 16. . .
1 100
377
375
378
422
422
792
280
920
717
456
954
387
369
1 107
429
90
250
410
742
1029
531
300
l66 NAMES OF PERSONS BUYING LANt)
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEK—Contin/w,/.
Name.
Date.
Land.
Richard Stevens i8ii. Au
Timothy Stevens.
Samuel Cooper . .
Samuel Cooper . .
Hall & Metcalf. .
Israel Clark
James Brisbane \
Reuben Metcalf \
James Willson !
Channing Trevett . . . . ;
Arad Knapp ;
Ezekiel Cook '
Nehemiah Paine |
Andrew Clemens |
David Cunningham ...
Isaac Drake
Wheeler Drake
Amos Thompson
Jacob Thompson
Amos Thompson ,
David Stanard j
David Stanard i
Joel Gillet.. . ."
Jireh Phinney
Andrew McKlen
Jane Thompson
William Dye
John McKlen
Joseph Potter
Justus Hinman
John Horton
Benjamin Fay
Ebenezer Ferrin
Daniel Persons
Emery Sampson
John S. Newell
Jonathan Townsend..
Ezekiel Cook
James Pike
Charles C. Reynolds. .
i8ii.
1811,
1811,
1811,
181 1,
& I
1811,
1811,
18 1 2,
1812.
1813,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1815.
1815,
1815,
[Kl^.
1815,
1815,
1815,
1815,
1S17,
1 8 16,
1817.
1817,
1817,
1817.
182 1.
1821,
1815,
1815,
i8i,S,
1 8 16,
1816,
1816,
1816.
1817,
1817,
1816,
Aug. 5 . .
Dec. 12..
Dec. 12..
April 19.
Feb 27
March 6. .
July 7...
Dec. II..
Feb. 7. . .
June 13.
March 6.
April 6. .
April 6. .
July 10. .
May 29..
Oct. 26..
June 12.
Dec. 6. . .
Dec. 6. . .
Dec. 6.. .
Sept. 8. .
Sept. 8. .
Dec. s- • •
Mar. I...
July 16..
Jan. 18..
April 17.
Sept. 5 . .
July 28. .
July 28. .
Oct. 18. .
July II..
Nov. 28.
April 19.
July 20. .
Aug. 7 . .
Dec. 31..
Jan. 22. .
Mar. 7 . .
Sept. 30.
Acres. 1 Price
n pt 1 I &
pt 1 2 . . .
pt 1 2
n-e pt 1 12.
s-e pt 1 12 .
n pt 1 29. .
s-e pt 1 48 &
w pt 1 40
w pt 1 27. .
s pt i 29. .
s pt 1 32 . .
pt 1 18...
n ])t 1 47 . .
s pt 1 i^..
e pt 1 41 . .
pt 1 28 . . .
s pt 1 7 . . .
pt 1 7 . . . .
w pt 1 16.
p 1 10....
pi 10
w p 1 10. .
s p 1 16...
pi 7
n p 1 7 . . .
n p 1 6. . .
spt 1 13
pi 13...
s p 1 8 . .
p 1 I . . . ,
pi 15..
n p 1 I 5 .
n-w pt 1 48
s pt 1 26
s pt 1 1 8
e i)t 1 44
pt 1 35-
pt 1 33-
n pt 1 17
s pt 1 25
s-w pt 1 24
n pt 1 33..
TOO
TOO
77
ICO
202
267
200
148
100
bo
75
120
100
100
TOO
100
100
114
114
114
106
100
104
100
100
100
100
75
75
100
150
83
120
200
120
TOO
100
100
129
FROM THE Holland co.\rpANY.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEN— Coniinue(/.
167
Name.
Emery Sampson
William Hcrrick
Lewis Trevett
Rebecca Lush
Masury Giles
Zebedee Simons
Daniel Ingalls
Daniel Putnam
Jonathan Townsend . .
James Coh'ille
Robert Curran
Samuel Fosdick
Francis Koiser & Jean
Chappy
Elias M. Chapel
Charles Mosier
David Heath
Rufus Thurbur
Irena Drake
Jehiel Mitchel
Jasper Thompson. . . .
Oliver Needham
^Lemuel Twitchell. . .
Samuel Lake
George A. Stewart . . .
Obadiah Russell
Hosea L. Potter
Barzillai Briggs
Amos Stanbro
*Reuben C. Drake . . .
Fllam Booth
John Brooks
Hosea E. Potter
Ebenezer Drake
Zebedee Simons
James Coh iile
Truman V^anderlip ....
Michael Haas, jr
Stephen Churchill. . . .
Phineas Scott
Pliny Wheeler
Laban A. Needham . . .
D.\TE.
816
816
818
820
820
820
818
818
822
827
830
830
833
834
836
836
824
825
826
828
818
829
831
831
834
835
838
837
838
838
838
837
837
836
^37
838
838
838
841
841
Oct. 16..
Sept. 19.
Jan. 12. .
P'eb. 21..
Nov. 17.
Nov. 17.
Sept. 8 . .
Sept. 8. .
Dec. 7.. .
Dec. 19..
Jan. 21 . .
Jan. 21 . .
Oct. 16..
Oct. 27. .
July 16. .
Nov. 2. .
April 8. .
July II..
Oct. 31..
Dec. 25..
Nov. 5 . .
Jan. 20. .
April 27.
Oct. 3...
Feb. 25..
Oct. 14..
Nov. 19.
Feb. 8...
Nov. 22 .
Nov. 22 .
Nov. 27.
April 12.
Aug. 20.
Dec. 21..
Mar. 9. .
Oct. 10. .
Mar. 21 .
Dec. 13..
Dec. 14..
Nov. 7. .
Oct. 28. .
Land.
e pt 1 36.
w pt 1 28
-S-W pt 1 2
c pt 1 27.
s pt 1 34.
pt 1 34 • •
pt I 38
n-w pt 1
26
35
n-e pt 1 24
pt 1 24.
38
pt
pt
n pt 1 32 .
w pt 1 36,
w pt 1 41.
pt 1 42 . .
pt 1 8 . . .
n-w pt 1 8
n pt 1 9 . .
pt 16...
pt 1 6. ..
pt 1 15..
s pt 1 I . .
n pt 1 2 . .
n pt 1 1 3 .
n pt 1 14.
s-w pt 1 I 5
spt 1 5.."
pt 1 5 . . .
pt 1 5 . . .
n pt 1 5 . .
pt 1 14..
n-e pt 1 8
pt 1 42 . .
w pt 1 44.
n pt 1 45 .
pt 1 47 . .
.s-w pt 1 48
pt 1 44. .
n-e pt 1 25
s pt 1 6.
Acres,
100
91
153
145
100
100
59
60
107
50
25
41
60
80
56
50
50
52
100
50
100
50
60
75
106
100
38
50
50
IOC
50
50
70
40
45
50
50
67
50
25
71
Price
450
388
736
688
450
400
232
234
428
2 I 2
106
174
240
320
200
200
212
22 1
460
2 12
525
150
240
300
424
444
152
200
200
400
200
200
282
163
182
200
200
268
200
275
375
1 68 REAL ESTATE DOCU^rE^•TS.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVEN— Cofi/i/iue</.
Name.
Date.
Land. IAcres. Price
John Hcaland i 1841, Nov. i . .
Isaac Woodward i 1841, Nov. I . .
Thoma.s Pound | 1842, July 1 . .
Harvey Twichell. . . . j 1841, Nov. i . .
Mary Bement I 1841, Nov. i . .
Phineas Peabody 1841, Sept. 10.' pt
Zacheus Preston 1838, Dec. 26. .| pt
e pt 1 43 . . .
pt 1 44 . . .
pt 1 38....
s-w pt 1 14.
s-e pt 1 14. .
34 ... .
45
Isaiah Pike 1836, Oct. 6. . . s-e pt 1 2^.
63
lOI
107
58
52
100
50
430
380
406
520
299
287
400
200
The following copy of a land article taken by Samuel Cooper,
father of Varnum Cooper, a resident of Concord, will show
something of 'the manner of dealing in and transferring real
e.state during the first j^ears that settlements were made :
"ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, indented, made, con-
cluded and fully agreed upon, this 12th day of December, in
the }'ear of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and eleven,
between WlLIlEL.M WiLLiNK and Jax Willlnk, VVilhel.m
WiLLINK the younger and J.VN VVlLLIXK the younger, all of
the City of Amsterdam, in the Republic of Batavia, b}- Jo.SEl'H
Ellicott, their attorney, of \.\\c first part and SAMUEL Cooi'ER,
of the County of Niagara and State of New York, of the second
part. Whereas the said party of the second part is justly
indebted to the said parties of the first part in the sum of two
hundred and sixty-nine dollars and fift)- cents, New York
currency, to be paid to said jiarties of the first part, their
executors, administrators or assigns, in manner following, that
is to say, the sum of twelve dollars and fifty cents immediatel)-
upon the execution of these presents, and the remaining two
hundred and fifty-seven dollars in six eciual \-earh' instalments
with the interest from the date hereof, to be [)aid \early and
every year (together with the said instalments) upon such part
of the said last-mentioned sum as shall, at the time of such
respective payments be due and uni)aid. The first of said
instalments and annual pa}'ments of interest to commence on
the 12th da}' of December, in the \ear of our LokD one thou-
sand eight hundred and fourteen.
ARriCt.KS 01-' ACREf^NtKXT. 169
" Now, rili;KKl'( )Ri;, in consideration thereof, the said parties
of the first part, for themselves, tlieir heirs, executors and
administrators, do b)' these presents covenant, promise and
a^i^ree. to and with the said party of the second part, his heirs,
executors. athninistrat(M-s or assigns, and e\'er)' of them, that
if the said part}' of the second part, his heirs, executors,
athninistrators or assigns, or any of them, shall and do, well
and truK- {)a}- or cause to be paid unto the said parties of the
first part, their executors, administrators or assigns, the afore-
said several sums of money, at the times hereinbefore men-
tioned for payment thereof, according to the tenor and effect
of the covenant and agreement hereinafter contained, on the
part of the said party of the second part, that then and in such
case, the said parties of the first part, their heirs and assigns,
shall and will well and sufficiently grant, bargain, sell, release,
convey, confirm and asssure to the said party of the second
part, and to his heirs and assigns forever, or to whom he or
the\' shall appoint or direct —
"Arxthat certain tract of land, situate, lying and being in the
County of Niagara, in the State of New York, being part or
parcel of a certain township, which on a map or surve}' of
divers tracts or townships of land of the said parties of the
first part, made for the proprietors by JoSEl'H ElJJt'O'iT, sur-
veyor, is distinguished b}' township No. 7 in the se\-enth range
of said townships. And which said tract of land on a certain
other map or surve)' of said township into lots made for the
proprietors by the said Joseph PVlliCOTT, is distinguished b\-
the north-east part of lot No. 12 according to the following
plan, containing se\enty-se\'en acres, be the same more or less.
•• PRoxiDEl) AI. WANS, that if default shall be made in the per-
formance of the coxeiiant ne.xt hereinafter contained, on the part
of the said party of the second part, for the punctual payment
ot the said instalments and annual pa}'ments of interest in
manner hereinafter mentioned, then the said covenant next
hereinbefore contained on the part of the said parties of the
first part shall become void and of no effect. And the said
party of the second part, for himself, his heirs, executors
and administrators, doth covenant, promise and agree, to and
with the said parties of the first part, their heirs, executors.
1^0 ARTICLES Oi^ AGREEMENT.
administrators and assigns, that he will well and truly pay to
the said parties of the first part, their executors, administrators
and assigns the said remaining sum of two hundred and fifty-
seven dollars, in six equal yearly instalments, together with the
lawful interest to grow due thereon from the date hereof,
yearly and every year, in manner hereinbefore mentioned, the
first of the said instalments and annual payments of interest to
commence on the I2th day of December, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen. And the
said parties of the first part, for themselves, their heirs, execu-
tors and administrators, do hereby further declare and agree,
that if the said party of the second part shall on or before the
1 2th day of December next erect or cause to be erected, on the
tract of land and premises hereinbefore described, or some part
thereof, a messuage fit for the habitation of man, not less than
eighteen feet square, and shall live and reside or cause a family
to live and reside therein during the term of three years from
thence next ensuing, and shall, on or before the 12th day of
December next, clear and fence or cause to be cleared and
fenced, not less than five acres of the said tract of land to the
satisfaction of the said parties of the first part, that then and
in such case they the said parties of the first part, shall and will
relinquish and release to the said party of the second part, all
the interest which shall have accrued upon such principal sums
of money for the period of two years.
"■ In testimony whereof, the parties to these presents have
hereunto interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and
year first above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered J
in the presence of
David Goodwin. )
WiLHELM WiLLINK, [ L. S.]
Jan Willink, [l. s.]
WiLHELM Willink. the Younger, | L. s. ]
Jan Willink. the Younger, [l. s.]
By their Attorney.
Joseph Ellicott, [l. s. |
Samuel Cooper, [l. s.]"
TXT)nRSE^rE\T AMD ASStGNMENtf;. 1/1
riic followiiii^' is the iiuloi'scmcnt and the assii^nments that
ai)pear on the back of tlie article :
" Receivetl. December I2th, i.Sii, of Samuel Coo[)er, twelve
dollars and fift\' cents, bein;^ the first paj'ment within men-
tioned. I^'or Joseph PLllicott,
$12.50. David Goodwin.
" F"or value received, I sign over all my right and title to the
within article of agreement, with all the rights and privileges
thereunto belonging to Nicholas Armstead.
Samuel Cooper.
" For value received, I sign over all my right and title to the
within article of agreement, ^\'ith all the rights and privileges
thereto belonging, to Samuel Cooper.
Concord, May 9th, 18 16. NICHOLAS Armstead.
" For \alue received, I sign over all my right and title to the
within article of agreement, with all the rights and pri\-ileges
thereunto belonging, to Stephen Russell.
Aug. 21st, 1816. Samuel Cooper.
" For value received, I ' sine' over all my ' wright' and title
to within article of agreement, with all the rights ' privalege'
' thereonto' belonging, to Sylvester Russell.
Januar>- 14th, 1 82 I. STEPHEN RuSSELL.
" For value received, I ' sine' over all my 'wright' and title to
within article of agreement, with all the ' wrights' and ' pri\a-
leges' thereunto belonging, to Tracy J. Russell.
March 17. 1833. Sylvester Russell.
" This may certify, that we assign all of the land on the west
side of the road, it being the west part of the northeast part of lot
12, R 7, T. 7, said land to be fifteen or twenty acres, to Pliin-
eas Scott, his heirs and assigns forever, for a valuable consider-
ation in hand paid, and give the said Scott peaceable possession
of the same, this 13th da}' of October, 1842.
Tracy J. Russell,
Sylvester Russell.
April the 28th, 1843.
" For value received, I assign this article and all "mi" 'wright'
and title to the w ithin contract,
Sylvester Russell."
172 THK FIRST DEED GIVEN FOR LAND
COPY OF THE FIRST DEED GIVEN FOR LAND IN THE TOWN
OF CONCORD.
" THIS INDENTURE, made this Fifth day of March in the
year of our Lord one thousand ei^^lit hundred and ten, bctz^een
Wilhem WiUink, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick Vollenhoven,
Rutger Jan Schimmelpcnnick, Wilhem WilHnk the younger,
Jan Willink, the younger, son of Jan, Jan Gabriel Van Stapf-
horst, Cornelis Vollenhoven and Hendrik Seye, all of the City of
Amsterdam, in the Republic of Batavia, hy Joseph Ellicott, their
attorney, of the first Part, and Thomas M. Barrett of the County
of Niagara and State of New York of the second Part: — WIT-
NESSETH, that the said parties of the first part, for and in con-
sideration of the sum of NINETY Dollars, to them in hand
by the said party hereto of the second part, the receipt whereo-
is hereby acknowledged, and themselves to be therewith fully
satisfied, contented and paid, Have granted, bargained, sold,
aliened, released, enfeoffed, conveyed, confirmed and assured,
and by these presents Do grant, bargain, sell, alien, release,
enfeofT, convey, confirm and assure unto the said party of the
second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever, ALL that cer-
tain tract of land, situated, lying and being in the County of
Niagara in the State of New York, being part or parcel of a
certain Township, which on a map, or survey of divers tracts or
Townships of land of the said parties of the first part, made by
the Proprietors by Joseph Ellicott, surveyor, is distinguished by
Township number seven, in the seventh range of said Town-
ships, and which said tract of land on a certain other map or
survey of said Township into lots, made for the said Proprie-
tors, by the said Joseph Ellicott, is distinguished by the south-
east part of lot number fort)' in the said Township.
BecHNNING: —
" Bounded east by K)t number thirt\'-two, t\\ ent\'-seven chains,
sixty-seven links; south by lot number thirt)'-nine, eighteen
chains seven links ; west by a line parallel with the west bounds
of said lot number 32, twenty-seven chains, sixt}'-seven links ; and
north by a line parallel with the north bounds o{ said lot num-
ber thirty-nine, eighteen chains seven links, containing fifty
acres, be the same more or less, according to the plan laid down
in the margin hereof: TOGETHER with all and singular the
signaturp:s of tiif. iwrtiks, ktc. 173
Appurtenances, Privileges, Advantages and Hereditaments
whatsoever, unto the above mentioned and described i)remises
in any wise appertaining or belonging, And the Rex'crsion and
reversions. Remainder and remaindjrs. Rents. Issues and Profits
thereof, and also all tli;: estate. Right, Title, Interest. Proi)ert\'.
Claim and Demand whatsoever, as well in law as in ecjuit)', of
the said Parties of the first Part, of. in, or to the same, and ever\-
Part and Parcel thereof, with the Appurtenances; TO HAVK AND
ro noi,D the above granted, bargained and described premises,
with the Appurtenances, unto the said party (^f the second
part, his heirs and assigns, to his and their only proper Use,
Benefit and Behoof forexer. A\l) the said parties of the first
i'art, for themsehes, and their and each of their respectixc
Heirs, Executors and Administrators, do hereb}- covenant,
promise and agree to and with the said part}' of the second
part, his Heirs and Assigns, that the}-, the said parties of the
first part, the above described, and hereb}' granted and bar-
gained premises and every j^art thereof, with the Appurte-
nances, unto the part}' of the second part, his Heirs and Assigns,
against the said parties of the first Part, and their Heirs, and
against all other persons whatsoever lawfully claiming, or to
claim the same, or any part thereof, shall and will warrant, and
b}' these presents forexer Dl'.KKND.
" Ix Witness whereof, tlic parties to these presents have here-
unto interehaiigeably set their Hands anel Seals the Day and
Year first above written.
Scaled and delivered in j
the presence of |
James W. Stevens. |
William Peacock. |
Wilhelm Willink, | L. s. | Jan Gabriel V'an Staphorst, [l.S]
Peter Van Eehhen, | L. s. ] Cornelis Vollenhoven, [i,. s.]
Hendrik Vollenhoven, j L. s. | Hendrik Seye, [ L. S. |
Rutger Jan Schimmelpennick, | r.. s. | B}' their Attorney,
Wilhem Willink, the Younger, | i.. s. ) Jose):)h P^Uicott. | l,.s.|
Jan Willink, the Younger, Son of Jan. | [,. s.]
KARI.V ROADS.
The first road laid out in town was the Genesee or Cattaraugus
road. It was laid out by the Holland Land Company. It
174 ROAD P^ROM BUFFALO TO OLEAX.
commences at the east side of the Holland Purchase and
extends westward through Wyoming county and Sardinia,
Concord and North Collins to near Lawton station. The east
part of the road in Wyoming count)' and a portion in Sardinia
was cut out by men employed by the Holland Compan\'. The
rest of the way the work was done by the settlers and inhabi-
tants. A portion of the way the lots are bounded by the out-
side limits of the road. The intervening space being a gift
from the company for the purpose of a road.
In i8io, a road from Buffalo to Olean Point was laid out;
passing through Hamburg, Boston, up the valley of the Eigh-
teen-mile creek, through what was formerly called the Sible}' set-
tlement, past the farm of H. M. Blackmer to East Concord ;
thence to Richmond's, on the Cattaraugus creek ; from there
through Yorkshire and Machias and on to Olean. The commis.
sioners appointed to locate the road were David Eddy of East
Hamburg, Timothy Hopkins, of Williamsvilleand Peter Vande-
venter, of Newstead. The expense of opening this highway
was borne in equal parts by the State and the County of
Niagara. In earh' times it was called the State Road. The
travel from Springville to Boston at first went up Franklin
street, past where John A. Wilson lives and over Townsend
hill.
The first laid-out road from Springville to Boston passed
over Townsend hill. It was the same road now traveled. It
was a mail route, a four-horse Troy coach being driven o\'er it
daily at one time.
In early times the principal travel east and west through this
section passed over the road leading from Arcade westward
along the course of the Cattaraugus creek through Springx'ille
and Zoar to Gowanda. It was a mail and stage route and a
post ofifice was located at Zoar.
It was as much as fifteen or twent)- years after the first set-
tlement of Concord before the road from Springville to Mor-
ton's corners was cut-out ; previous to this the jieople of Mor-
ton's corners and \icinit}' reached Springville b}' w a}' of l\")wns-
end hill.
About 1830 the road commencing as lot 52 and ending on
l(^t 6, passing along the main branch of the Eighteen-mile creek.
SPKIN(;\ ll.I.K \- SARDINIA RAILROAD. I 75
in Concord, was laid out. Vov nian\' \-(jars the principal traxel
from Sprini(\'illc to Buffalo pas.scd over thi.s road.
About 1852 a plank-road was constructed from Sprin^ville to
Hamburg. It was built in the public highway and extended
along the valley of the Eighteen-mile creek through Concord
and Boston. It was kept in repair ten or twelve years when it
ceased to be a toll-road. It connected at Hamburg with a
plank-road leading into Buffalo.
S1'RIN(;\I1.I.K \- SARDINIA R. R.
This railroad compan)' was organized May 6th, 1878. The
capital stock was fift)' thousand dollars. Amount of stock sub-
scribed was thirty thousand two hundred dollars,
The length of road from Springville, N. Y., to Sardinia
Junction, N. V., was eleven and -^^^j^ miles ; weight of rail per
yard, twenty-five pounds , gauge of track, three feet.
The cost of the road and ec}uipment was sixty-one thousand
eight hundred and thirteen dollars and ninety-fi\'e cents. This
road makes connection w ith the Buffalo, New York & Phila-
delphia R. R. at Sardinia Junction. Two passenger trains are
run daily, and, as appears from the State Engineer's report on
railroads for the year 1880, which is the latest report published,
that the capital stock subscribed was $30,400 ; and that the
amount paid in was $30,087.24; and the funded debt was
$25,000, and the unfunded debt was $6,73035, and the names
and directors of the corporation were C. J. Shuttleworth', Spring-
ville, Bertrand Chafer, Springville, Alonzo L. Vaughn, Spring-
ville, James Hopkins, Sardinia, Charles Long, Sardinia, New-
ell Hosmer, Sardinia and Franklin B. Locke, Buffalo.
The officers were Bertrand Chafer, President, James Hopkins,
Vice-President, L. M. Cummings, Secretary, Charles J. Shuttle-
worth, Treasurer.
ROCHESTER i<c PITTSBURGH R. R.
The construction of the Buffalo branch of the Rochester &
Pittsburgh R. R., has given a great impetus to the prosperity
of Concord, more especially to Springville. After a prelimi-
nary survey of routes the company adopted Jan. 7, 1882, the
route now in use. The route was surveyed by C. E. Botsford,
of Springville.
176
NAMES OF FIRST SETTLERS.
Work was commenced at West Valley, Cattaraugus Count}-,
in June. 1882 The first locomotive over the road entered
Springville May i8th, and track-laying was completed June 9th.
at the bridge across Cattaraugus creek, over which the first
locomotive passed on that day. This bridge or viaduct is an
imposing structure. It is 150 feet in height, 575 feet in length,
2,777 tons of stone, 280 tons of iron and 90 tons of wood were
used in its construction, making a total of 3,147 tons. The
total co.st was $90,000.
The names of one or more of the first settlers, on each of the
several lots in Concord.
Lot I John Russel.
2 Samuel Cochran.
3 Christopher Stone.
4 Asa Cary.
" 5 Noah Culver.
7 Charles Chaffee.
8 Isaac Knox.
9 Benjamin Gardner.
" 10 Benjamin Douglas.
" II Julius & Elihu Bennett
" M William Weed en.
TOWNSHIP SIX, ran(;e six.
Lot 14 Eaton Bensley.
" 16 Francis White.
" 17 Truman White.
" 18 Moses White.
" [9 George Shultus.
" 20 Enoch Chase.
" 21 William Shultus.
" 22 David Shultus.
" 23 Christopher Douglass.
" 24 Abner Chase & Henry
Hackett.
Lot 25 Almon Fuller.
TOWNSHIP seven, RAN(iE SIX.
Lot
5
26
^7
28
29
30
53
34
35
36
37
38
39
William Vaughan.
Nathan King.
Mr. Willard.
Henry Gardinier.
William Wright.
John & Joseph Cotrell.
Capt. Charles Wells.
William Wright.
Archibald Griffith.
Dustin & Saw}"er.
William Baker.
George Killom.
Robert G. Flint.
Lot 40 Sala W.& Homer Barnes.
" 41 Giles Churchill & Seele\-
Squires.
" 42 Luther Curtis & John
Gould.
" 43 Calvin Smith.
" 44 Elam May.
" 45 Plphram Needham
William Chapin.
" 46 Aaron Cole.
" 47 Luther Landon &W1
er Drake.
" 48 Caleb Abbott.
61'
NAMES OF FIRST SFTTLF.RS.
//
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SIX— (V'///?y///,v/.
Lot 49 William Smith.
" 50 Elijah Dunham,
•' 51 IkMijamin C. Foster &
Seneca Baker.
" 52 Ebene/er l^Y-rrin.
" 53 Albert Shipp)- M- Star\-
Kin^".
'' 54 Kint^sle)- Martin.
" 55 Orrin Siblew
" 56 William Southworth &
lames Miller.
Lot 57 Gideon Parsons.
" 58 Benjamin Wheeler.
" 59 Benjamin Fay & J. Strat-
ton.
" 60 Uzial Towiisend & F. A.
Brigo-s.
" 61 Whitman Stone.
" 62 William Field.
" 63 J. Agard, B. Sibley .Sr A.
Sibley.
" 64 Da\'id Cunningham.
Lot I
8
9
TO
I I
12
LS
•5
16
17
18
19
20
TOWNSHIP SEVEN
Richard Stevens. L
Timothy Stevens.
Solomon Field.
Amaziah Ashman & Jona-
than Townsend.
Reuben Drake.
Oliver Needham & Steph-
en Needman.
John Brooks Cs: I'Llam
Booth .
William D>e.
Mr. Michel'].
Amos Thompson.
Thomas McGee.
Smith Russell.
Andrew McLen.
Joseph Potter.
L\'man Drake.
Samuel W. Al<4"er.
Channing Trevett.
Samuel Cooper.
James I^rown & John
Clemens.
Joseph 1 lanchett.
I
, RANGE SEVEN.
ot 22 Lsaiah Pike.
'^ 2T) Jesse Putnam.
" 24 George Killom.
" 27 Samuel Eaton.
"' 2'i Ichabed Brown.
" 29 Reuben Metcalf.
" 30 James Pike, Ezekiel Ad-
ams & T. Heacock.
" 31 John L^res.
" 33 Sylvenus Cook.
" 34 Zebedec Simons.
"35 Samuel Sampson.
" 36 Emer}' Sampson.
'' T,"/ Truman Vandcrlip «.^' Ja-
cob Rice.
" 38 Daniel Putnam.
•' 39 Samuel Abbott.
'' 40 Thomas M. Barrett.
" 41 Nehemiah Paine.
" 42 David Heath.
•' 43 John Healand.
" 44 Daniel Persons.
" 45 Henr\- Stearns & Zacheus
Preston.
178 THE HOTELS OF SI'RINC;VILLE.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVEK— Con finurt/.
Lot 46 Mr. Huff, William Hor- Knapp.
ton & Daniel Horton. Lot 48 John Horton, Truman
" 47 John Reecher & Arad Horton & C. Knapp.
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SEVEN.
Lot 46 Peter Pratt. Lot /2 Luther Thompson.
'* 47 George Hicks. " 73 Lewis Cox.
" 48 Nathan Hicks. " j/ Simeon Holton,
" 49 Jesse Frye & Enoch N. " 78 Chas. Watson.
Frye. " 80 Stephen Knight.
" 66 John Holdridge. " 81 Simeon Holton, Day,
" 56-67 William Smith. Knight & C. C. Foster.
" 57 Elijah Palmerter. " 82 John Battles.
" 58 Austin Pratt. " 86 Abiel Gardner.
" 68 John Williams. " 87 Dickey Doud.
" 71 Thomas Richardson. " 90 Simeon Holton.
Lot 91 Jeremiah Richardson.
HOTELS. MILLS AND MANUFACTORIES.
HOTELS AND HOTEL-KEEPERS IN CONCORD.
The first hotel in town, a small, double log house on Frank-
lin street, near the opera house, was opened by David Stickney.
in 1 8 10. There is a tradition that here the name of " taking a
horn " first originated. The house was supplied with liciuor
and a bar, but not a glass to meet the wants of the thirst}'.
Stickney improvised one out of the horn of an ox, hence " tak-
ing a horn" of whiskey, in those days, was literalh' true.
Second Hotel — By John Albro, in a log house on the east
side of Buffalo street, on the north confines of the corporation,
just south of the forks on Sharp Street and Townsend Hill
roads; opened about 181 1.
Third Hotel — Amaziah Ashman, in a log house on Town-
send hill; opened about 1812.
Fourth Hotel — In a log house on Morton's Corners, by John
Battles. He was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner.
Opened in 1817.
Fifth Hotel — Framed building on Franklin street, opposite
the park. Built b}- David Stannard in 1817 or 1818 ; kept, first
Jl
nil", ii()Tf:i,s ok si>ri.\(;vii,i.e. 179
b\- Harry Scars, tlicn h)- a Mr. Wright, as^ain b\- Harr)- Scars,
t(i be succeeded b\' Seth Allen, tlien b\- l)a\'i(l Hensle\' and
James F. Crandall, and lastly by Mr. Bentley.
Sixth Hotel — By Jonathan Townsend, on Townscnd hill ; first
in a frame buildinL;', in 1S19, tlien in a brick building;-, in 1822.
Seventh Hotel — Isaiah Pike commenced on the Pike home-
stead in 1821, and kept for sixteen years.
Flighth Hotel — 15\- Samuel Cociirane, on Main street, Sprin^;--
\'ille, in a frame building on the (Cochrane homestead, wliere
V. K. Davis now is; opened in 1822.
Ninth Hotel — The (Md Springville Hotel on Main street,
where the Leland House now stands; built in 1824, by Rufus
C. Eaton, and kept b}' him for a time ; he was succeeded b\'
Jonson Bensley, Richard Wadsworth and others.
At one time, Daniel Peck ran a hotel at Morton's Corners.
I'or many }x'ars the Morton Brothers entertained the traveling
public. In 1843, they erected a very creditable two-stor\-
frame building, with a suitable hall, that is in a good state of
preservation at the present.
Another hotel was conducted on Townsend hill, first b\- a
Mr. Currier, to be succeeded by Mr. Mitchel.
Henry Ingalls conducted a hotel for a while in the north
part of the town in the valle\'.
The American Hotel was built b\- Phelps Hatch, in 1843 and
'44. He conducted it for a few years, then leased it to James
F. Crandall, then Smith and Beebe purchased the property and
for man\- x'ears the\' were the landlords. Afterwards, the
property was rented and run b\' Gaston D. Smith ; soon after
the property j^assed into the hands of Theodore Smith; in
i860, he sold to E. S. Pierce, who conducted the house until
1863, when he sold to Clinton Hammond, who occupied it one
\'ear and then sold it back to E. S. Pierce, who, in turn, after
running it two \'ears, in 1866, sold it again to Hammond:
Davis & lladlc)' ran it a short time. In 1874, A. E. Torre\'
bought the j)ropert\' and for a time he remained the proprietor;
then he associated himself with his brother, A. R. Torrey, \\ho
after a time bought the propert\- and conducted it until the
Spring of 1880. when he sold to the present jiroprietor, Peter
Nenno.
I So HO'l'ELS AND SAW MILLS.
Phineas Scott kept a liotcl on Townsend Hill for sex'eral
years. Jedediah Starks and a Mr. Parker kept a hotel on the
V^osburg place, a mile and a half east of Springville. Fox-
hotel was first opened by Carl 'Ludeman, to be succeeded by L.
Rrenckle. Fred P'ox bought the hotel, and after conducting it
a few years he sold to Andrew Oyer, who sold after a time to
his brother Augustus, who kept the house a while, and then
sold to Clinton Hammond, who soon after sold to Fred Fox.
This was in 1874; in 1883, Fox sold out to Theodore Trew,
who now conducts the house.
The Farmers' Hotel was first opened by George Kopp, then
Phillip Herbold, then Louis Fiegel, then William Biegel, Phil-
lip Newbeck, John Haut, Martin Bury, Michael Miller, Peter
Nenno, Jr., Charles Miller, and, lastly, by Henry Saltzer.
Delevan House — Fred Miller, Chester Priggs, Albert C.
Michael, George. A. Richmond, Crawford & Green, Crawford
& Norton, and, lastly, by Webster Norton.
SAW MILLS.
The Eaton mill was built about 18 13. It stood on the west
bank of Spring brook, a short distance north of Franklin street.
Channing Trevitt put up the frame for a saw mill at Wheeler
Hollow in 18 1 3. He died that Fall and the mill was not com-
pleted until a year or so after, by Capt. James Tyrer.
The Bloomfield mill in Springville, was built in or about 1816.
The Bensle}' mill at the mouth of Spring brook was built in
1816 or 1817.
The Phillips saw mill was commenced in 1 8 16 or 18 17 b)-
Nicholas Armstead, who sold out to Asa Phillips, who com-
pleted the mill in 1818. This mill was on the Smith brook just
below the cross road at the John Martin farm.
Robert Auger built a saw mill on Spring brook in the south
part of the village of Springville in 1822. This mill stood near
the tannery of Jay Borden. Auger had an oil mill also.
Joseph McMillan built a saw mill in 1828 ; it stood on the race
just back of Victor Collard's wagon shop on Mechanic street.
Lemuel Twichell built a saw mill on the east branch of the
Fighteen-mile creek, in the north part of the town, in or about
1827.
SAW MI 1,1. l-ROI-RIKIORS. I Si
l)anicl ami Isani Williams commcncctl the erection of a mill
on the Smith brook, near its mouth in 1825 or US26. They
were both taken sick soon after with tyi^hus fe\er and died.
The mill was not finished until .some time after, but b\- whom
the writer is ignorant.
John and Masur\- Ciiles built a mill three-fourths of a mile
south of Morton's corners, in 1824.
W'm. Potter built a mill on the east branch of the I'"Jghteen-
mile creek, at i'\)wler\ ille, in 1829.
Homer Barnes built a mill at \\'ater\ille, on the BufTalo
creek, about 1830. This mill stood on the same site of the
Vance mill to-day.
Henj. Crump built a mill that stood further down the stream
A short distance above the Vance site, Paris A. Spray;ue
built a mill.
Treat Brothers built a mill on the same stream. This mill
stood on the Treat farm.
Still farther up the stream Lewis Wheelock built a mill on
the Wheelock farm.
Lewis janes built a mill on the PLiL^hteen-mile creek, on lot 16.
Sellick Canfield built a mill on the P^ighteen-mile creek, on
lot 6, in 1845.
Theodore Potter built a mill on the same site, in 1857. Orrin
Baker re-modeled this mill some time after and put in a steam
entwine.
Mr. Clark owns a steam-mill at P'owlerville.
At quite an earh' day a saw-mill was erected at Woodsward
Hollow. This mill or a mill that stood on the same site, was
burned down two or three years ago. Philo Woodsward built
a steam-mill there several years ago, which is in active opera-
tion at the present time.
Many years ago a water-mill was erected in Spooner Hol-
low, b\' Simeon I lolton, on the Smith brook. This site was
abandoned some years ago.
A saw mill was built by Sellew &: Popple on the east branch
of the Darby Brook. This mill is now owned by N. Bolander,
Jr. & Bro.
A mill was built at the mouth of this brook some time in
1865 or 1866. The frame was put up by Daniel Pierce, and
1 82 SAW MILLS AND GRIST MILLS.
then passed into the hands of Jacob Rush. This mill is in
good repair, having been rebuilt, and is owned b}' James O.
Coon.
Three or four }'ears ago a mill was erected b}' D. \\' . Bensley
on the Smith brook above Spooner Hollow.
Charles J. Shuttleworth built a mill on the Wells brook, sev-
eral years ago. This mill is located half a mile south of the
Liberty Pole corners, and is in acti\e operation at the pres-
ent time. He also built a mill near his foundry and machine shop.
Gaylord and Watkins in 865 erected a steam mill one-fourth
of a mile east of Gaylord's Corners, ^\'hich is in actixx- operation
to-day.
About fifty )-ears ago a small mill was built on a little stream
since known as the Dry Brook. This mill was built b}' the
citizens of Townsend Hill for their own convenience, and stood
on the southeast corner of the old Fay farm.
Lewis Trevitt bought the frame of the old Phillips mill and
moved it on to the little brook that runs just south of his place.
GRIST MILLS.
First — Benjamin Gardner built a grist mill in Springville in
1814. It was the first grist mill built in Concord, and was
located about t^\•enty-f^ve rods south of Main street, on Spring
brook and opposite the bend in Mill street.
Second — Jonathan Townsend built the second grist mill in
1 8 16, on the south part of lot eighteen, township seven, range
seven, now known as Wheeler Hollow.
Third — Rufus Eaton built the third grist mill in Springville,
about 18 1 8. It stood on the race just back of the Leland
House barn, on Mechanic street.
Fourth — About 1832 Barnes & Wilson built a grist mill on
lot thirty-nine.
Fifth — About 1830 a grist mill, or corn mill, was built three-
fourths of a mile south of Morton's Corners, by Simeon Holtoii.
Sixth — In 1835 Manley Colton built the mill on Main street.
Seventh — E. W. Cook built a mill on the site of the old
(iardner mill.
Eighth — W. G. Ransom changed the Cook woolen factory
into a grist mill. It commenced business in February, 1877.
r)IS'l'f[J-KRIES AND WOOLEN FA("^()K^■. 1S3
DISTILLERIES.
J.'ii-st — Frederick Richmond built the fust distillery iiear
where Franklin street crosses Sprin<;- brook. He made whisky
out of potatoes as well as corn. It was burned down after a
few x'ears.
Second — Silas Rushniore built and run a distiller)- on the
east side of SpriuLj- Hrook a short distance north of (ieorgx-
C'randall's house.
Third — AuL;ustus d. h'dliotl had a distiller}- on the .Shuttle-
worth lot east of the railroad antl south of I'^'anklin street.
Fourth — George Shultus had a distiller}- down near the Cat-
taraugus creek.
l^'ifth — Townsend & 'r}-rer had a distiller}- in Wheeler Hollow.
Si.xth — There was a ilistiller}- on lot forty-nine, township
seven, range six, on the farm now owned by Fred Clark.
Seventh — John Van Pelt had a distillery back of A. F. Rust's
grocer}' between Main street and the creek.
Eighth — David Williams had a distillery on the Cattarau-
gus, do\\-n towards Fr}-es.
wool, EN FAOTORV, CARDINC AND CLOTH DKESSTNO.
The first \\oolen factor}- comprising carding, spinning and
cloth-dressing, was built b}- a company of towns' people, con-
sisting of Maj. Samuel Bradley, Deacon John Russell, Silas
Rushman and George Shultes. The date of the erection of
this building can not be ascertained, but it was at an early day.
Its location was on the west side of Buffalo .street, about equally
distant from W. G. Ransome's flouring mill and the residence
of Sanford Mayo. This building was quite large for the
times, and w as two stories high. The lower story was divided
into suites of roonis for residences, and the upper story was ar-
ranged for factor}- purposes, the basement was used for color-
ing and other purposes requiring heating apparatus. .\ con-
siderable time elapsed before the building was finished and sup-
plied with machinery, and during this interval the upper part
was used for school, church and Sunday school purposes. The
first Sunda}- scht)ol was organized by Deacon John Ru.ssell and
Major Samuel Bradle}'. Religious meetings were also held
here for some time and a common school was taught in this
1 84 WOOI,EN FACTORY AND TAXXKRIES.
buiklin^-. Subsctiucntl}- the upper part of the buildini;- was
furnishccl with machincr\- for manufacturing woolen cloth,
wool carding was done near at hand with a full mill attached
to water power. Machinery for spinning and weaving was pro-
pelled b)' hand, this manufactory was operated for several
years. David Seymour and a Mr. Silsbee were the bosses for
a time and Isaac White — a brother of Francis White, now of
Springville — was one of the spinners. Other buildings were
erected, utilizing the water power now owned by G. W. Ran-
som, and at a subsequent date the flourishing mill now owned
by him, built and operated as a woolen factor)-, where all the
machinery was run by water power, and at the present time
wool carding is done by Mr. Harvey Spaulding in the basement
of the Ransom mill. This propert}' comprising the factory
buildings, water power, including the old grist mill, was pur-
chased by Elbert W. Cook and owned and occupied b}' him
for many years.
TANNERIES AND TANNERS.
Mr. Bascomb did the first tanning in Concord, on the Dodge
place, about one and one-half miles east of Springville.
Second — The first tannery in Springville was built by Jacob
and Silas Rushmore in 1817, on the lot fronting on Main street,
lying between Elk and Pearl streets, and known as the Mc-
Aleese lot. Lexinus Cornwell owned and operated it afterwards.
Third — The second tannery was built about 1823 or '24, by
Hoveland & Towsley. It stood on the Shuttleworth lot, east
of the mill race, and between Franklin and Main streets. After-
wards Augustus (j. Elliott owned and operated this tannery;
also Joseph D. Hoyt, and Hoyt & McEwen.
Fourth — About 1830, Willard and Josiah Algar, built and
afterward run a tajiner\- on Lot 18. T. 7. R. 7, in Wheeler
Hollow.
i^^ifth — .About 1832, a tannery x\as built in the north part of
the town at Fowlerville by Towsle\- and Tuttle.
About 1836, Joseph McMillan and Wm. Watkins built a tan-
ners- on the east side of .Spring brook, about thirt)- rods north
of iM-anklin street. Mr. McMillen died in 1846, but Mr. Wat-
kins carried on the leather and shoe business many years.
TA X X I". K I l':S AX D ASH 1". R I KS — I , A W \' K RS . I S 5
111 1861, rcrcL;i'inc Maton niotlclctl t)\'cr the woolen factoi-y that
stootl down the creek near the corporation hne. into a tanner)'.
After about a \'ear he sokl to Sampson & Wilcox. In 1866 .S.
II. McKwen bought in, and remained ten months. Wilcox
died, and Sampson & Sexerance ran the business some years.
In 1873, Ja}' Borden bous^ht the tanner}-. It burned uj) in
1877, and the present tannery was built.
ASHERIES.
First — Samuel Lake built an asher\- on h'ranklin street on
the north side and near the creek.
Second — A. G. Fllliott built an asher\- north of I-~ranklin
street and near where S. R. Smith's barn stands.
Third — John Van Pelt had an ashery on Franklin street,
south side of creek, about where Orvil Smith's barn stantls.
I'oiu'th — Moses & Asa .Saunders had an asher\- on land now-
overflowed by the north-west part of Shuttleworth's pond.
h'ifth — Hallady & Shepherd run an ashery on the east side
of the pond near Pearl street.
.Sixth — At one time there was an ashery at Morton's Corners,
near where the cheese factor)- stands.
PROFESSIONAL MEN, MERCHANTS, TRADERS
AND MPXHANICS.
LAWYERS.
Earl)- Pettifogj^ers — Dax'id Stickney, " Jack" \'aw, Nehemiah
Waters, Wales Emmons.
First — The first attorney and counselor, Thomas T. Sherwood,
came to this town about 1823 or '24, staid a short time and
removed to Buffalo, and practiced there man\- )'ears, where he
died.
Second — rile second law)-er was Elisha Mack, who remained
here twent)- years or more when he removx'd to Illinois, where
he died.
Third — Wells Brooks practiced here fifteen or twent)- years
then removed to Buffalo.
Fourth — C. C. Severance has practiced here over fifty years.
I*"ifth — Morris Fosdick practiced here many years and died
in Springville.
1 86 LAWYERS AND PHYSICIANS.
Peter V. S. Wendover staid a short time and went back to
Columbia county.
Merrill & Treadwell staid a short time and went away.
Wales Emmons went to Wisconsin and died there.
Miner Strope went to Chatauqua count)'.
Sydenham S. Clark died in Springville.
Seth W. Godard died in Springville.
Alonzo Tanner lives in Buffalo.
A. W. Stanbro lives in Buffalo.
Hosea Heath lives in Hamburg.
L. Le Clear lives in Buffalo.
Augustus Hanchett died in Michigan.
PHYSICIANS WHO HAVE LIVED AND PRACTICED IN CONCORD.
Giles Churchill doctored some in early times.
Dr. Rumsey was a young man and in a year or two died here.
Drs. Woodward and Reynolds were young men and remained
but a short time.
Dr. Daniel Ingals remained several years and then went
away and has since died
Dr. Varne}' Ingalls practiced several years and died here.
Dr. Carlos Emmons died in Spring\'ille alter a residence here
of over fifty years.
Dr. John Allen died recenth' on Long Island, at an advanced
age.
Dr. Alden S. Sprague removed to Buffalo and died there.
Dr. H. H. Hubbard removed to Wisconsin and died there.
Dr. Alexander Hubbard removed to Wisconsin and died
there.
Dr. D. V. Folts removed to Boston. Mass., anci lives there.
Dr. Morrell, Dr. B. A. Battle and Dr. Simeon Pool, went away.
Dr. E. C Pool died in Springville, after practicing sometime.
Dr. Wm. Van Pelt resides at Williamsville, this county.
Dr. John ("i. House removed to Independence, Iowa, and
died there.
Dr. Charles House died here; Dr. Daniel Nash died here.
Dr. U. C. Lynde lives in Buffalo: Dr. W. Gillett died here.
Dr. Lyman Packard lives in Michigan.
Dr- George Abbott lives in Hamburg,
I
J'lIVSICIANS, MERCHANTS, 'rRADHRS. i;'rc. 1 87
])\\ W . S. I ones dic'il in California.
Dr. Joseph Sibic)- died in Colden.
Dr. Win. W'atkins lives in Orei^on.
Dr. Wnison remained one year.
Dr. Ru---. Dr. Crawford, Dr. Nichol, Dr. K-er)-, Dr. llib-
bard. Dr. Manninn', Dr. .S])err\-, Dr. SoNerit^n and Dr. Brewer,
went aua\'.
Dr. Lane, Dr Habcock and Dr. Buckingham lived at Mor-
tons Corners.
MERCHANTS AND TRADERS IN CONCORD, IN DRY GOODS,
GROCERIES, HARDWARE, BOOTS, SHOES. CLOTHING, .S:< .
About 1 814 David Stannard and Jerr\' Jenks came from Boston
to Spriny;\ille (or "Fiddler's (ireen"), and commenced trading- on
a small scale ; about the same time Frederick Richmond started
in the same business on a still smaller scale. .Some authcjri-
ties claim that Richmond started first, while others are quite
as sanguine that ".Stannard & Jenks" were the pioneers.
Their business was carried on in a log building east of the
park, and afterwards they moved to a building that stood be-
tween the Methodist and Baptist churches on Buffalo street.
Rufus C. Faton was the next trader, he occupied a building
back of the opera house, near the pond.
In i<S2i, Samuel Lake built a small store on the corner o{
Main and Buffalo streets, where the American hotel now
stands. This was the first store on Main street. Two or three
\-ears after he built the store now occupied b}' R. W. Tanner
and mox'ed into it.
Varney Ingalls traded on Franklin street, whei'e the k'ree
liaptist church stands at the present time.
August G. FUiott, in 1826, commenced business in a store on
the Peter Weismantel lot on l^ranklin street, near the race.
In 1828, William Smith, Jr., built a small store on the corner
of Main and Buffalo streets, where the First National bank
now stands and traded a short time.
Rufus C. Faton «^ Otis Butterworth formed a partnership
and commenced trading in i830on Mechanic street, to be soon
after followeil b\' Moses and Asa Sanders, Jolm \'an I'elt,
Plin\- and Theodore Smith and Manly Colton. In 1S34, Henry
Bigelow sold goods here.
l8(S NAMES OF MERCHANTS AND TRADERS.
M. L. Hadi^el}' came to Spring\'ille in 1835 and was enij;ai;cd
in the mercantile business many \'ears. These have been suc-
ceeded by the foUowing" :
EHsha Mack, S. & E. C. Pool, O. C. Morton, Badgely & God-
dard, Rufus C. Eaton, Butterworth & Fox, Smith & Richmond,
C. Osgood, McCall, Long, Spencer & Nash, Eaton & Blake,
Spencer & Blake, J. G. Blake. Abbott Frye, Robbins & Cronk-
hite, Levi Wells, E. N. Brooks, l^lemings & Baily, Jewett &
Cochran, Gardner Brand, Hallida}^ & Shephard, George Drul-
lard, Asahel Field, J. H. Ashman, John F. Sibley, Edwin
Wrig-ht, Edward Godard, D. C. Bloomfield, Philetus Allen,
Chester Spencer, Charles Hcnise, Joseph Tanner, John Hedges
&; Son, Vosburg & Son, Clinton Hammond, Daniel Nash, Lake
& Tabor, Taber Brothers, A. R. Taber, Richmond & Griswold,
Richmond & Holman, Richmond & McMillen, Richmond &
Shaw, Cyrus (jriswold, James F. Crandall, G. W. Canfield,
Frank Thurber, Stanbro Brothers, George R. Bensley, Jacob
Widing, J. Chaffee & Son, Kilburn & Parmenter, Frederick
Clarke. William Weber, Agard & Co.. O. S. \\:ard. G. W.
Spaulding, C. J. Lov\e, C. J. Lowe & Co., Horace Spencer,
Thomas Spencer, Thomas Prowler, Mrs. Prowler, C. C. Smith,
Jr.. I'errin Sampson, Graves & Shaw, Walter P'ox, Tanner &
Bensley, Nichols & Gardinier, Eaton &: Hall, M. L. Hall, \V.
H. P'reeman, Holland & Prior, P^rank Clark, J. O. Churchill,
Rust Brothers, John Ballon, PY-rrin & Guardinier, I^'errin is:
Jones, Joseph Capron, Judson Wiltsee, Reed & Stanbro, John
Reed, Reed & Holman, Holman & Mayo, Smith & Chandler,
Mr. Weinberg, Albro & Freeman. R. J. Albro.
BLACKSMITHS.
Elijah Brigo,Abel Holman, Lothrop Beebe, Reuben Holman,
Elijah Richardson, Jonathan 'Pownsend, Suel Townsend, Joel
Holman, Hiram McMillen. Mr. Hawkins, Esdel F. Wright,
C. G. P. T. Goss, William Hull, Stoel Collins, Mr. Bunnel,
(William K. Blasdell, Henry Blasdell and William Holmes were
edge-tool makers, Mr. Curtis was a sc)'the maker, and Mr. Bur-
nam and Constant 'Previtt were auger makers), John Robinson,
Levi Ballou, Ebenezer Darling, George Shultus, Jr., Albert Oyer,
George Kopp, Stoel Collins, Jr., E. Burlinbach, Sylvester P^itch,
lU.ACKSMI rilS. WAl.ONMAKKKS, I! IC I Sq
C'aKin Tuincr. llcnr}- Tease, (^rson Tease. Charles Iloldeii,
]ohn McAleese, Harrison Cobleii^ii, Thoii Cook, Mr. (luin.
A. Trest(Mi. Henr\' F\-ke, Charles Conrad, Mike Tender^rass,
Mr. Towers. Nathan Ihiniphry, John Hull, Sjiencer Fay, John
Morrison, Le\ant Stanbro, Mike Carmody, F^u<i^h McAleese,
Nicholas Weaver, Victor Rider, John Miller, (ieor^e Neff,
Henry Benthusen, Richard Blaisdell, Kdwin Smith, Charley
T' raiser, William Morrison, John Twichell. i^eter Shontz,
WAGONMAKERS.
Joel White, I-'rederic White. Tat ,McCaul\-. Mr. Bristol.
Martin .Vspland. lulson Terkins, Thilo and Edward Herini^^ton,
[oel Cobleij^h, Hiram Cobleigh, Henr\- Watson, Elea/.er
W'eeden, Jehiel Tast, William McMillen (a brother of Hiram
made the first buij^y made in Springville), Mr. Swain, P. Trube,
T>ed Rider, Morris Freeman, William Woodbur\', B. A. Fay,
M. Cornwall, J. T\dler, Nick Brass.
HARNESSMAKERS.
O. D. Tibbitts, Robert Bidleman, Johnson Bensley , L. B.
Towsley. William Darrow, H. T. Wadsworth, Abner Chase,
^Vindsor Chase, Geor<j^e Kin<^man, Ray Green, Miles Hayes, C.
Van\'alkenburi;h, John and Huel Blakelw J. D. Blakely, Frank
Ga}'lord, C. R. Wadsworth, Thilip Newback, Alonzo Blake, Clark
T'erren. A. W. Blackmar, Henr}' Bay, James Thomas, Charles
BallcHi. H. N. Shreider. S\l\ester Bamhart, William Josl\-n.
James Blake, T'rederick Williams.
SHOEMAKERS.
Ira Eddy, Jacob Rushmore, Levinus Cornwall, Stephen Al-
bro, Towsley and Tuttle, Jacob Frank, Kingsbury and Hove"
land, George C. Graham. C. C. McClure, John Loomis, Noah
Townsend, Enoch Sinclair, Ik-njamin VanName, John Reed,
T. L. Tyler, Nathan Shaw, Christian HutTstader. Mr. Bibbins,
L. IC. B. McClure, William Watkins, Terrin Sampson, Peter
Huffstader, R. l-^. Iluffstader, Samuel Wheeler, Seth \Mieeler.
John McEwen, William l^ierce, George McClure, Seth \\\
Godard. Julius McClure, C. C. McClure, Jr., Henr}- Welling,
William Stone, H. (). Tuckerman, John Groin, H. H. Harris,
Tryon Smith, Benjamin Bartlett, Philander E. M}-ers, Abner
190 siiof:makers, hit-rhkrs, tailors, etc.
Pettitt, (jorham Newcome, William Brown, S. B. La)'t()n, C.
C. Smith, Henry McEwen, Amanzo Rcecl, Henry Wilcox, Mr.
Jones, Mr. Cady, Austin Graham. E. N. Er\'e, Mr. Gedne\',
Chi'i'^topher Beardsley Wiltsee.
BUTCHERS.
Amo.s Melvin, Pamenter & Kilburn, Freman Baily, Barmen-
ter & Andrews, Edwin Wright, Hamper & Sweet, William
Beagle, Damon Dodge, Dodge & Pamenter, Clinton Hammond,
Hedges & Crandall, Windsor King & Son, J. D. Blakely,
Thomas Davis, Jacob Widrig, Widrid & Palmer, Palmer &
Smith, Calvin Smith, Jr., Philetas Widrig, Norman Crandall.
Mayo & Cox, A. J. Blakely, Nicholas & Foster, William
Schlacter, Nicholas Rassel, Spencer Widrig, Matthew Pitts,
J. Morrison, Ezra Vasburg, George Hibeck, Horton & Wandall.
TAILORS.
Mr. Thompson, Mr. Botsford, Thomas Nicholson, Jeremiah
Schallen, David Bensley, Mrs. Mahlem, tailoress, Sylves-
ter B. Peck, Samuel Shaw, B. B. Mason, L. B. Hibbard, C.
Vandenburgh, P. Fitzgerald. Jonathan Bloomfield, Constant
Graves, Eugene Ciraves, John Dodge, Daman Dodge, E. L.
. Norris, T. B. Norris, Mr. McCormick, Henr}- Jerns, Peter Hein,
T. G. Murphy, Hiram Beardsle)'.
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS.
Charles W'ells. Eliakim Rhodes, Charles C. WT-lls. William
Chapin, Whitman Stone, Car}- Clemens, Ben Eaton, Orren
Lewis, James P^lemming, Stillman Andrews, Joseph D. Evans,
Abial J. Vary, Thomas Var\-, Robert (i. Flint, (ieorge Mat-
thewson, Frederick Matthewson, Ephraim T. Briggs, William
Field, Camden C. Lake, Volney l-Jelden, J. (1. Blake. William
McMillin, Marcus McMillin. Dexter Rhodes. Cyrus Rhodes.
James Curtis. Ste])hen Hooker, Marvin I^^cld. Charles Field.
Manl)- iMeld. Abijah Sible\-, Levi W\'lls, Wesley Demon,
. Era.stus Lake, Mike J^rass, 'I"rac\- J. Russell. Asa R. Trevitt,
James Drury, Edward Churchill, Ambrose Upson, L}'man
Shepard, Comfort Knapp, Chester Loveridge. (iifford Pierce,
Joshua Steele, Alva Dutton, Hiram Donalson, (). D. Curtis, E.
Briggs, Chester Holt, joiner and cabinet makers : Benjamin
Knight and Caleb Knight.
'I'lNSMrrns. Mii.iAVRicins, m.\( iiinists. ktc. 191
TIXSMITHS.
II()(l<;c Brothers. l'criL;i'in Eaton. Judson I^aton. J^cnjaniin
l'\ Joslin, Thomas Spencer, David Bloomfield. J. Chaffee &
Son, Ferren & (iuarchnier, h'errin & Jones. \\\ I). Jones, I). W.
Hensle)', \\ . 1). Jones. Albert Pierce.
MILLWRIGHTS.
Jar\-is BlooniCield. Janies T)'rcr, L. M. Kellos^i:^. Mr. Good-
sell, Geori^-e Walker. Benjamin V. Joslin. L. (i. Vnvd. James
Titus, Morris Williams.
MACHINISTS.
Mr. Marshall. C". J. Shuttleworth, Homer Bloomfield, Wal-
lace McMaster, Theodore Baker, Milton Yount,^
GUNSMITHS.
H. M. Waite, Alva King, Wm. French George E. Crandall,
Nathan Shaw, A. (loodell, Welcome Sprague, Langdon Steele.
JEWELERS.
Abial Var\-, (iec^rge E. Crandall, Cieorge (iliddon, William
Nash. William \\Y>ber, (). S. Ward, James Weber, Weber ,S:
Holland, H. P. Spaulding.
COOPERS.
Icabod ]-5ro\vn, Samuel Cooper, Lewis Childs, John Peabody,
Sylvester Peabody, Emery Sampson, Alanson Wheeler, Isaac
Childs, Mr. Titus, Gates Brothers, James Fay, vMford .Shi])py,
Mr. Pratt, Chester Wheeler.
CABINETMAKERS.
Wales Emmons. ()tis Butterw orth, Wales Butterworth, Wal-
ter Wadworth, Mr. Holt, M. L. Arnold, P. G. Eaton, Daniel
Shaw, Shaw & Brothers, William Sherman, E. Rundall, Major
Wells. William Barclay, Mr. Rider, M. W. Douglass, S. B.
Gaylord, Joel Norton, Robert Shultus, Philip Herbold, Her
bold & Prior. L. D. Chandler, Hiram Thomas.
CHAIRMAKERS.
Lemuel Twichel, Richard Wads^\■orth, l^enjamin Nelson,
Jonathan Nelson. Mr. Hill, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Gates. James
Bovles.
192 BUSINESS MEN IN CONCORD AT PRESENT.
Among' the business and professional citizens of Concord in
I<S<S3, are the following:
CLERGYMEN.
Rev. \V. A. Robinson, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church ;
Rev. Mr. Williams, Pastor of the Methodist Church; Rev. A.
F. Bryant, Pastor of the Free Baptist Church of Springville
and Fast Concord ; Rev. Mr. (3wen, Pastor of the Baptist
Church ; Rev. Mr. Fromholzer, Pastor of the Catholic Church ;
Rev. Mr. Baker, Pastor of the P'ree Baptist Church of Morton's
corners; Rev. Mr. Jackson, Pastor of the M. E. Church at
Morton's corners and Rev. Mr. Weiderman, Pastor of the
Lutheran Church at Morton's corners.
LAWYERS.
Hon. C. C. Se\'erance. W. H. Tichnor, PVank Chase, A. F..
Scott, D. J. Wilcox, Lowell M. Cummings and Scott Cum-
mings.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. George G. Stanbro, Dr. W. H. Jackson, Dr. W. E. Long,
Dr. M. M. Sperry and Dr. L C. Blakeley, Nichols' corners ; Dr.
T. Calkins, Woodwards Hollow.
HOTELS.
Leland House, li. S. Pierce, Proprietor; Poorest Hotel, T. K.
Davis, Proprietor ; P^armers' Hotel, Theodore Trew, Proprietor;
American Hotel, Peter Neno. Proprietor ; Delavan House,
Webster Norton, Proprietor; Miller's Hotel, Henry Saltzer,
Proprietor.
BANKS.
P^irst National Bank of Springxille — Cash capital paid in,
$50,000. Wm. O. Leland, President; H. G. Leland, Vice-Pres-
ident ; E. O. Leland. Cashier. Directors — Hon. C. C. Se\'er-
rance. Almond D. Conger, Joseph Demmon, Wm. O. Leland.
Geo. W. Oyer, Wm. Z. Lincoln, F. O. Leland. Morris L. Hall.
H. G. Leland.
Farmers' Bank of Springville — Capital stock, $30,000. .S. R.
Smith, IVesident ; B. Chafee, Vice-President; P". (). Smith,
Cashier. Directors — S. R . Smith, B. Chafee, J. 1). Larribee,
A. D. Jones.
KKriicisis, mii.i,ini;ks, \c. iq.i
MANUFACITRIIKS, M ERCII AN'IS AND IR ADKSMKN,
r. Ilci"l)i)l(.l, niainifacturcr ami dcak-r in rurniluic ami uiukr-
takcr.
L. 1). Chaiullcr, (-iealL-r in turnilurc and undertaker.
C. J. Sluittlcw'orth. furnace, machine shop, saw-nnll and
builder.
W. G. Rawson. mill owner and farmer.
lUnl Chafee. mill owner and farmer.
E. L. Hoopes, miller and dealer in floor and ^ccd.
S. R. Smith, manufacturer and farmer.
JEWELERS AND WATCH MAKERS.
George E. and Nel.son Crandall, M. P. Spauldiny and E. If.
En<^cl.
MERCHANTS AND TRADERS.
S. H. and X. K. Thomson, Bcebe and M\-ers, dr\- L;oods,
•groceries and L;eneral store; C. AI. Hadley. J. D. Hlakele\-, R.
\V. Tanner, A. F. Rust, E. A. Scott, groceries and pro\isions;
J. O. Churchill, groceries and provisions and dealer in dr\-
goods; William Briggs and J. S Tarbox, general store in Mor-
ton's Corners, Maltb)' and Parmenter general store in Wocxl-
uard's Hollow ; B\'ron Walters, general store in East Concord.
DRUGGISTS, .tc.
Frank Prior, L. B. Nichols and E. C. Smith, drugs, medicines,
paints and oils.
HARDWARE AND TINWARE.
.Mien and Weber, A. D. Jones, 13. W. Jones, and J. Wheeler,
BOOT AND SHOE DEALERS.
.\. L. Ilolman and J. W. Reed.
BOOT AND SHOE MANUFACTURES.
W. Stone, J. W. Reed, Antliony Lei.ser. A. L. Molman, C. C.
AlcClure and George McClure.
CLOTHIERS AND TAILORS.
Harris Cohen, Peter Hein and I Ienr\' Jerns -Tailor.
MILLINERS.
Mrs. O. Smith, Mrs. L. M. Cummings, Mrs. George Myers,
fancy .store. Miss Clara WHieeler and Mrs. L. U. Hcmstreet.
12
194 I'AIX'J'KRS. I'klN'IKKS AND 1!I .\( KSM ITl IS.
DRESS-MAKERS.
Airs. S. Sweet. Mrs. I'erkins. Mrs. H. Palmer. Mrs. R. U.
Ticbnor, Mrs. (Xstrander, Mrs. A. E. Torrey.
PAINTERS.
Thomas H. Prior. James Prior. Marshal Kingsley. Peter H.
Prior, Levi Prior. P^red Childs, Robert Yates. Ryron Bristol.
David Hernden, Lemuel Parker, William P>ye, Nicholas Dcet,
PVank Span Id iiiL;', John Pratt, Lyman Covel. Morris Harnett.
MASONS,
S. Swertz, M. Colin, Charles Colin, J^'rank Thurber & Sons.
Dell l^inney, Mr. Ouigle)', Gideon Matthewson, Mr. Doane.
PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS.
\V. \V. Blakeley, job printer and proprietor of Jounuxl and
Herald, Melvin & Myers, job printers and proprietors of Local
Ncivs, Nelson Thurber, printer. Charley Briel. printer, William
Lowe, printer, William P>\'e, printer.
TANNERS.
Jay Borden, proprietor of Sprin<;ville Tanner}-. I'atrick Flan-
igan and Mr. Philips, tanners.
WOOD AND COAL.
V . O. Smith, coal and wood dealer.
BUTCHERS AND DEALERS IN MEATS.
Nicholas Rassel, Spencer Widri<^r and Cook Brothers.
WAGON-MAKERS.
Victor Collard, Matthew Metzler and Mr. Hassett. I'eter
Collard.
BLACKSMITHS.
Frank Weismantel. Peter Weismantel. Samuel Wheeler. Jr..
Jacob Wcnzel, Charles Thurber, William hVase. llenry Krepjis.
John h'ink and Cie(.)ry;e Beaumont.
HARNESS-MAKERS AND CARRIAGE-TRIMMERS.
C. R. Wadsworth. Clark Fcrrin, S. PL Barnhart. .\. Thillen.
llenry Bay.
i'i;i;i.ic iMii.DiN'cs, iiAi.Ls, I ii . 195
DIINTISTS,
Carlos W'aiicaiul A. I,. X'au^hn.
daguerri:()tvim;rs.
S. I',. SpauldiiiL;- ami Miss Ann 11. Pierce.
LIVKRV-STAHLE KEEPERS.
E. S. iS: J. Pierce and K. 1). Henient.
RE.STATRANT.
M. I). Scoby.
WOOL CARDING.
! Iar\-e)' Spauklin^-.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND HALLS.
( )l)era Iliuise, I'resb)'tei'ian, Methodist. l''ree l)a])tist. Baptist
and Catholic churches, Ciriffith Institute. Masonic Hall and the
E. A. U.llall. I'"ree Ba])tist. Methodist and Lutheran churches
at Morton's Corners, and h'ree Baptist chui'ch at Ivist Concord.
MILLWRIGHTS.
1.. M. KelloL;\L;. Jesse i""r)'e. James B. Titus, Benjamin Josl)'n
and Morris Williams.
MACHINISTS.
C. J. Sluittleworth and Wallace McMaster.
CABINET MAKERS AND SASH, DOOR AND BLIND MAKERS.
John Demuth. Anson J. MeminLj;, Campbell Hu^eland Lewis
(loodbread.
BARBERS.
K. 1). Bement, (jeori^e Identic}- ami Herbert P'errin.
CARPENTERS AND JOINERS.
Thomas Lincoln. William McMillen, Joseph Flcmin<^, Wil-
liam IMackmar, Benjamin Joslyn, Lbenezer S. Cady, J. L. Steele,
Ransom Davis, Morris Williams. William Josh-n. ]). O. Bab-
cock, Carlos Co.x, .\. J. Moon. I'eter Zimmer. James Titus,
I'Vank Spauklin^-. (ieort;e 11 Clark, Kutloli^h Rust, Ward F'crrcn,
Waldo Morton. William Widriti^, lliram Laffcrty, James Rey-
nolds, David (iritfith, (jeorL;e Wood, Theron (ireen. Albert
Davis, Cypher Haas, (ieori^e Norton. Met. Lincoln. Charles
\()6 " fii)1)1,i;k's crkkn."
Laffcrty. Artluir Churchill, Alfred Churchill, Will Stanbrci.
O. D. Curtis. Will Griffith, Mr. Shaw. Perry Scott. Tom Wil-
liams. Mr. Grace. Lee Rider. Gottlieb Krantz. James Cranston.
Mr. Huyck. Edward Beaver.
"FIDDLER'S GREEN.'
It has been a query, even among those to the " Manor born.'
iL'/ic/i or by ivhoiii this name of " Fiddler's Green " was first
<^iven. But it has now become a pretty well established fact, from
the testimon)- of persons now living, and who lived here at thai
time, that the name was applied as early as 1815 or 1816. And
it is also equally as well ascertained by the testimony of the
same old settlers that the person who first applied the name
was Uavid Stickney, who then kept a log tavern w here the
Opera House now stands, and adjoining the "Green. "
The plot of ground where the park now is, in early times was
larger, smoother and much more beautiful than it is at present
and was at first called "The Green." The theory that there
were several fiddlers living adjoining or near there at the time
the name was given is not sustained by evidence. It is true
that at one time there were several fiddlers living in the vicinity,
but it was many }-ears after it had received its title : but the
following are well established facts: —
First — That David Leroy came here about 1 812.
Second — That he was a famous and inveterate fiddler.
Third — That he lived a few rods north of the present park,
and adjoining the " Green."
Fourth — That his house was the favorite resort of other fiddlers
who frecjuently came some distance to practice with and learn of
him, and that the sound of his fiddle almost nightly floated out
upon the evening air, and all the villagers listened to its rich
melody. From these facts we have become satisfied after due
investigation, that from David Leroy anci the music of his and
other fiddles at his house, the " Green " by which he lived took
the name of " Fiddler's (ireen," and that there were )io other
Jieidlcrs living tJiere at that time.
From this the little village took the same na//u\iind for man\'
years it was know n as " Fiddlers (ireen " from New England
to the 1^'ar West. Fifty and sixty years ago the name Spring-
ville was seldom applied to the village, and it was only on
MAM. KOi'lKS .Wn I'osi 1)1 KICKS. I97
special (occasions ami when (inc wished to be \ery ])recise in his
language that the full name " Fiddler's Green " was used, but
among the surrounding farming communit\- the name almost
universally applied was the "Green." If you went to a neigh-
bour's house and enquired of the wife where her husband was,
the answer would be he has gone to the " Green." If }-ou
called at another house and asked the children if their father
was at home, the answer might be no, he has gone to the
"Green." And even to-day the name of the "Green " remains
indelibly stamped upon the minds of sivut of our \enerable
men and women whose first and earliest recollections of the
place was the little hamlet that nestled in the midst of nature's
richest verdure around that spot, and this impression remains
to-day on their minds, and they speak of it as the " Green " and
call it by no other name.
In early times the " Green " was used as a parade ground b}'
the military companies that trained in Springville. Sometimes
caravans and other traveling shows exhibited there. Some-
times exciting games of base ball were played there. In the
memorable political campaign of 1840 a log cabin was erected
on the south-west corner of the " Green," and a large political
mas.s-meeting was held there on that Fourth of Jul)-. In 1880,
at the Semi-Centennial celebration of the opening of the Spring-
\ille Academy, the large compau}' present on that occasion
took dinner from tables erected on the " Green."
MAILS, MAIL ROUTES AND POST OFFICES.
The first post-offices established in this county were at Buf-
falo and Clarence. There were no post-offices or mail-routes
in the south towns before the war of 181 2 -15.
The earliest method adopted b}- the settlers for communi-
cating with their friends east was by watching their oppor-
tunity and sending letters by some one who might ha\e occasion
to return to the section of countr\- the\- came from. And their
friends east would send letters whenever they knew of an\'
person coming from that part of the country- here, and such
person sometimes brought a dozen or more letters and they
would be distributed to the owners who sometimes lived man\-
miles apart. .\t one time a man by the name of Wm. Earl
iqS I'os tmastkrs ai" si'ki\(;\ ll,I,l•"..
\\as employed b\- the settlers to l^o to Buffalo once a week to
cany the mail and brin;4 that of the settlers and distribute it to
whom it belonged. At first the country extendin^^ for t\vent\-
five miles north and south and thirty-fi\'e east and west, was
all included in the one town of Willink, and a letter addressed
to a person in Willink mi^ht ne\er reach its destination, there-
fore the\' were addressed to persons in the township and ranj^e
in which the}' lived. In this w a\- the\' coidd be distributed
w ith measurable accurac}'.
In the Spring" of 1820, a new mail-route was established,
running from Buffalo to Olean, with three new offices in this
county: one at Hamburg, formerly called Smith's mills; one
at Boston, formerh* known as Torrey's corners, and one at
Springville, Ralph Shepard was the first post-master at Ham-
Inirg, Krastus Torr\- at Boston, and Rufus C. Eaton at Spring-
cille, who held the office nine \'ears. Since that time the
post-masters at Sj)ringville ha\ e been —
In i828,Klisha Mack, under Andrew Jackson, two terms,
Martin Van Buren, one.
In 1840, Samuel Lake, under Harrison aiui p.art of T\-ler's
administration.
In 1842, Dr. Hubbard, under part of Tyler's and [)art of
Polk's.
In 1846, Major Blasdell, under Polk's administration.
In 1848, Morgan L. Bacigiey, under 'ra}-lor and h'illmore.
In 1852, Camden C Lake, under Pierce.
In T856. Camden C. Lake, under Buchanan.
In i860, Perrin Sampson, under Lincoln.
In T864, Perrin Sampson, under Lincoln and part of John-
son's.
In 1866, Luther Killom, under Johnson.
In 1868, Carlos Emmons, under Grant.
In 1872, Carlos Emmons, under part of Grants 2d term.
In 1872, T. B. Norris, under part of Grant's 2tl term.
In 1876, T. B. Norris, under Hayes.
In 1880, T. B. Norris, under (iarfield, who i.. post-master ;it
the present time.
Aliout fift)' )-ears ago a post-office was establisiu'd 011 Tow ns-
end Mill, with .Ama/.iah Ashman as postmaste'i". At the jjresent
ro.M MISSION ol II! K II RSI I'oS I'M AS TKK. 199
time there are four post-offices in the town of Concord — Sprini;-
ville, Morton's Corners. Wooclward's Hollow and Mast Concord.
•At first tlu- mail was carried o\-er Tow nsend llill to Boston
and on to Jkiffalo ; then it was carried down the east branch of
Ei<4'hteen-mile creek to Boston, then to Buffalo. And it has
been carried past I-last Concortl ami tlirouLi'h Coklen to Buffalo.
It is now carried on the cars from SprinoviHe to Sardinia and
to Buffalo ; and also through Boston to Buffalo.
In early times there was a mail from the Kast carried through
Springville, Zoar, and on West. Afterwards there was a mail
from Pike through Springville, Morton's Corners, Collin's
Center, and on West. At the present time there is a mail
route from Collin's Center, througli Morton's Corners, Wood-
ward's Hollow, New Oregon, &c. There is a mail route from
Springville to Cattaraugus Station. There is also a mail route
from Springxille t(> Ashford Station.
COMMISSION OF THE FIRST POST-MASTER IN SPRINGVILLE.
'^Ri'tuni /. A/n]<^\\\ Jr., Posf-i/instrr (jciirrol of the ( 'nitctf S/a/cs of
America.
To ALL who shall see these presents, greeting:
" Kxow VE, that confiding in the Integrit}-. Abilit\- and
Punctuality of Rufus C. Katon, P^scp, I do appoint him a Post-
master, and authorize him to execute the duties of that Officu
at Springville, Niagara Count)', and State of New \'ork.
according to the laws of the United States, and such Regula-
tions conformable thereto as he shall receive from me.
To HOLD the said office of Post-master, with all the Powers.
Privileges and Flmoluments to the same belonging, during the
pleasure of the I'ost-master (ieneral of the L^nited States for
the time being.
In TESITMONN' whereof, 1 have hereunto set m\- hantl and
caused the Seal of my Office to be affixed at Washington Cit\ ,
the thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight lumdred and twent}-, and of the indej)endence of the
United States the fort>'-fourtli.
Registered 19th day of Jul)-, 1820. R. J. Mek.S.
Tiios. Aruuckle, Clerk.
200 NAMKS ()]•■ OWM'.RS OK 1-AKMS 1\ 1S43.
/\ list of tlie owners of farms and farvninL;- lands in the town
of Concord in 1S45 :
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SIX.
LOTS.
25. Calvin Blake, L. C. X'ani^han, lames V^aui^han, Epenetus
Vaughan.
26. W. W. Cornwell, Asa W'ells, J. X. Yates, H. Freeman,
J. Mayo.
27. John Gardinier, J. Bloodgood, W'm. Smith, Archibald
Griffith.
2(S. Jared Davis, John Vaughn, Wm. Smith.
29. H. J. Vosburg, Abram Gardinier, \Vm. Olin, G. Newcomb.
:^o. Wm. Foot, 'Levi Finch, James Wood, Joseph Coteral, John
Coteral.
31. James Wood, R. Foote, R. Matthewson, John Philips.
32. R. F^oote, Sam. Hains, Mrs. Beaver, R. Matthewson.
33 Asa Wells, Healy ?^reeman, Charles Wells, Mr. Kilburn.
34. James Bloodgood, J. N. Vates, Vincent Cole, Weston
Waite, Moses Griswold.
35. Archibald Griffith, M. \Wample, S. Gardner, J. Ma}'o,
C. Smith. J. Wilson.
36. J. & A. South, Wm. Smith, E. Cram, L. Killom, J. Ila\-nes,
L. Needham.
37. H. Stanbro, Wm. J^aker, Henr}- Vosburg, 1^. Graff. C.
Vaughan, David Clark, Levi Finch.
38. J. Griffith, Louis Wheelock, H. Griffith, R. Drake, Bela
Graves, C. Killom.
39. R. Foote, John Treat, P. A. Sprague, S. P. Field, Bela
Graves.
40. Abner Wilson, B. Crump, P. A. Sprague.
41. Josiah Graves, Ashle)' Holland, Gardner Stanbro, Seic)-
Squires.
42. Seley Scjuires, J. C. Cranston, Justin Miner, Hiram Mayo,
, D. Sweet, J. McMillen.
4V L. Davis. E. Mayo, James Curtis, J. Mayo, P. Stanbro,
C. Smith.
44. 7\. Cranston, Wm Smith, Jr., Wm. Smith, S. A. Jocey, 1'.
Stanbro, C. Stanbro.
15. W'm. Smith, Wm. Smith, jr., Patrick Hogan, Ej^jhraim
Neeilham.
KAKIA' FARM oWMlKS IN l( »\\ \ ()!■ ( ■().\( OKI i. 20 1
46. Philip l\)ttcr, P. (^s<,H)od, Josiah CanfR-Id, Mr. Flint. C. A.
Wilson.
47. Wheeler Drake, (non-resident).
48. Samuel Abbott, Alonzo Cross.
49. Mrs. Reynolds, Varne\' Installs.
50 K. E. Williams. Daniel Tice. Peter ]^radle\-. Zimri Inj^alls,
Caleb Ingalls.
51. James Flemings, Ephraim T. Briggs. Amos Stanbro.
52. Philip Ferrin. Nathan Godard. l^Mijamin South, Lsaac Knox.
53. Albert Shippy. Ephraim A. Hriggs, Star}- King, C. Need-
ham, E. Godard.
54. K. Martin, Jr., Mr. Mason. A. Martin. J. Agard. Orrin
Sibley.
55. Orrin Sible\-. S\-lvester Abbott, Harrison Calkins.
56. Henry Smith. Wm Calkins. C. Abbott, S. Abbott. D.
Lewis.
57. Carlos Emmons, V. Ingalls, Allan Drake, Alanson Wheeler.
58. J. House, Orley Perkins, Benjamin WHieeler, Sen.
59. Benjamin Fay, Ebenezer Blake.
60. Noah Townsend, Constant Tre\'ett, Philip Ferrin, Mr. Ste-
phetison.
61. Orrin Baker, Jonathan Canfield, Orvil Canfield.
62. Wm. Field, Almon Perkins, Joshua Agard, H. E. Potter.
63. Benjamin Sibley, Joshua Agard. Abijah Sibley.
64. Moses Leonard, Oliver Dutton, O. Wells, J. P)artle\-, Mr.
Curran, Mr. Calkins, E. Twichell.
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SEVEN.
LOTS.
46. Mrs. Prudence Williams.
47. Mrs. Prudence Williams.
48. Roswell Alcott.
49. Jesse Frye, Enoch N. Fr)e.
56. Henry Weber.
57. Non Resident.
58. Michael Smith.
59. Michael Smith.
60. John Wells.
61. David Williams.
62. E. N. JM-ye, L. P. Coxe.
202 i:arlv concord farmers.
60. Luther Austin, V. 11. Can-, John Ilovcland.
67. Henry Weber, II. S. Post.
68. John Wilhanis, Le\i Pahiier.
69. John Williams.
70. Non Resident.
71. Thomas Richardson.
/2. Abram Hammond, Luther Thompson, Mr. Newman, S. G.
Churchill, J. G. Stor\-.
JT,. Thomas Daxis, Mr. Trumball, S. A. Morton.
JJ. Elisha Eaton, Joel Chaffee, Charles Chaffee.
/^. Charles Watson.
79. Mrs. Knii^ht.
So. Mrs. Knii^ht. Amos Stanbro, Geory;e Thompson, Charles
Trindle.
81. A. P. Morton, A. K. ( )strander, Ambrose J(_)hnson, Widow-
German, Milo Paker.
^2. A. P. Morton, Pomro\- Johnson, Jose[)h A^^ard Ostrander,
Mr. Harxe}'.
86. Samuel Churchill.
i>/. Pelei^ Cranston, AL-. \'an Hurau.
88. J. Agard, W. Agard, S. Agard. L. (jerman.
89. Horace Ga\'lord, Amos Stanbro, Washington T\-rer. Charles
Prindle.
90. Isaac Nichols, (jeorge \\'oodbur\-, James Wheeler, P. C.
Holt, Mrs. Tyrer-Ostrander.
91. Jeremiah Richardson, James Wlieeler, Widow Richardson.
Parts of lots 61, 62, 71, 79, 80, i>j ;ind /^, and lot 70 were
wild or unoccu[)ied land.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEN.
LOTS.
1. Carlos Lmmons. \'. Ingals.
2. V. Ingals, Mrs. L )veridge, S. Wheeler, Mr. Ilutchins.
3. Mr. Hutchins.
4. P. Scott, A. /Vshman. Mr. Hutchins, Mr. Ste\enson, Mr.
Canfield.
5. R. C. Drake, lUam Booth, Parle\- Marten.
6. Sillick Canfield, A. Gra\\ C)li\er Needham, Laban A. Need-
ham.
•ni.i.i'.ks (»K nil' son. i\ 1S45. 203
7. Ilosca I'otttr. i.. II. Twichcll. II. lii^als, A. (icnsnian, Mr.
I lorton.
S. William l)>-c. Ira Wooclwanl. Whcclcr iJrakc.
9. Jonas Pcrhani.
\o. r. Cook. V. liiL;als, John I'^'cnch.
11. V. Scott, Widow Scott, .\. LoNcridL^a-.
12. r. Scott, J. Shears.
13. ThacklLMis I licock, Abial BloclL;"ctt.
14. T. II. and II. Potter, Charles Xeedham, A. C. Adam-;,
Widow Bement.
15. T. li. Potter, William Twichell, Samuel Tuichell, Joseph
Potter, Ira Drake, H. Drake.
16. William Potter, Widcnv Drake, Wheeler Drake, G. W.
Thurber, H. Drake-BridLi'inan.
I 7. W. H>-de, S. W. Alger.
iS. W. Hyde. Klder Carr, James Tyrer, O. Spaulding, A. Hall.
B. Trevitt, S. Stevens.
\(j. J. M. Spauldinu-, B. Alby.
20. A. Hall, Hicock and Trevitt, E. Sampson, Jeremiah Louk.
21. Benjamin Trex'ett, Benjamin Trevitt, Jr., Hiram C. i re\ itt,
William Adams, E. Adams.
22. Eron Woodward, Isaiah Pike, William Adams.
2:,. S. Trevett, I. Pike, D. Janes, P. Thurber, H. Burt.
24. R. Curren, J. Fosdick, E. Ellis. S. Trexett.
25. L)-man Joslyn, Mr. Josl\-n.
26. S. Stexens.
2J. r. M. Brings, E. Eush, Daniel Persons, James Colwell.
28. S. Cooper, H. C. Trevett, B. Fisher. l\. Sampson.
29. J-5enjamin Trevett, lienjamin Trexett, Jr., Trex ett & l^illou.
30. Ezekiel Adams, A. C Adams.
31. H. Babcock, Mr. Brush, J. Haxxkins. R. Hawkins, Al})honso
Cro.ss, L. Trevett.
32. D. Janes, P. Roach, Joseph Roach. W. Burt, P^-ancis Tat-
too, John Goffinett, Francis Wiser.
^T). Calvin Johnson, John Nichols, A. Nichols, J. Steele, Ezekiel
Goodell.
34. E. Simons, Z. Simons, John Martin, John PealxKlx , Phiu-
eas Peai)od)'.
204 HUSBANDMEN OK CONCf)RI) IN 1845.
35. Peril! Sampson, Emery Sampson, William Sampson, T. D.
Tiffany, P. Payne, S. Briggs.
36. Emer)' Sampson, LeGrand Douglass, Haw & Douglass.
37. J. Rice, A. Becker, — F"rancisco.
38. Joseph Hawkins, Levi Knap, P2. Adams, Mr. Blakeslc}-.
39. Benjamin Dole, Alph(^nso Cross.
40. Mrs. Barrett, G. M}'er, H. Perkins, H. Rathburn, George
Barrett, F. fiammond.
41. A. Nichols, M. J. Steele, William Fessenden. Eli/.er Stock-
ing, L}'man Steele, Charles Mosier.
42. Luke Simons, Z. Simons, William Fisher, Nehemiah Heath,
Joseph Tabor.
43. J. L. Douglass, D. Rice, Jarcd Tiffany.
44. J. L. Douglass, Waters & Rice. E. Sampson, Jarcd Tiffany.
J. Colvin.
45. William Beckwith. Ra\- Beckwith. Mr. Stearns, (iilbert
Sweet.
46. Chockly Lynde. Ira Stebbins, Mr. Lj-nde, William Horton,
L. Barrett.
47. John Becker, George Myers, Zenas Perkins, P. Hucklebury.
M. Hucklebury.
4S. H. Jefferson. D. Horton, B. Rathburn. F. Hammond.
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE SIX.
LOTS.
1. Eaton Bensley, John Russell, Joseph Harkness.
2. Samuel Cochran, Mrs. Yaw, D. Evans.
3. George Holland, Sylvester Eaton, W. Watkins. Wells
Brooks, William McMillen.
4. J. Van Pelt, James Hinman. Charles Wells. \'. Ingalls,
Christopher Green.
5. 1^. Nelson, E. Matthewson. G. W. Kingman, Parker &
Barton.
7. Ahner White, William Weeden. Charles Chaffee, Joel
Chaffee, J. Russell, E. Bensley.
S. Bloomfield, Shepherd. White. Shultus. William Weeden. S.
Cochran.
9. E. Mack, William l^allou, J. Rushmore, I'Ltlmonds I'\ White.
10. J. Van Pelt, Selem Sears, Isaac Palmei-.
coNcoRi) S()I.iiii;ks RiicokD. 205
11. II. S. I'osl, Julius Hcmcnt, Ihirvcy Aiulrcws. Luther
Austin.
12. Jarvis Bk)onificlcl.
13. (iilcs Churchill, Jacob Rushniorc, Luther Austin.
14. I'^. W. Cook.
15. E. W. Cook, Mr. Stearns.
16. David Wiley, Mr. Stearns.
17. Ebcnezer Dibble, P'rancis White, Mr. luhiiunds.
18. Mrs. Otis, William Ballou.
19. William Smith.
20. James Kini^sle)-.
21. L. R. Shultus.
22. David .Shultus.
23. David Shultus. Abel llolman. Mr. Kini;man.
24. Abel Holman.
2^. Nathaniel Howen. Mr. Dodi^e, Parker & l^arton.
CONCORD SOLDIERS" RECORD.
'I\) that (irand Arm\' which preserved the L^nion, Concord
contributed her full share of volunteers, a larg'e percentage of
whom were either killed or died in the service. When future
generations lift the \eil from b)-i;"one years in their search for
fitting themes of eulogy, let their finest tributes fall upon the
heads of the soldier boys of Concord.
More than half of those who entered the service went out in
two companies — Company A of the 100th N. Y. .S. \\, and
Company E of the 1 r6tli N. Y. S. V.
Company A of the lOOtli was recruited b}' Capt. Daniel D.
Nash, of Springville, and was the first offering toward the for-
mation of the "Eagle Hrigade." being raised b)' (ieneral
Scroggs, of Buffalo. Of their service in the field we need not
speak, as its history has already been written b\' an able pen.
Company E of the 1 i6th was organized by Drs. U. C. Lynde
and Cicorgc G. Stanbro, of Springville, in 1862. Dr. George G.
Stanbro was commissioned as its captain. The\- reported for
duty in August, 1862, at Eort Porter, Buffalo. Earl\- in 1863
they were sent to Louisiana, where, after particij^ating in a
series of hard fought battles, the regiment was ordered to Vir-
ginia. But a history of the 1 i6th has also been written and
2o6 II 1 1; r.KAVK s( )I.1)Ii:ks ok coxcoRn.
wc need not tuilher refer to it. ( )f those wlio were members
I if the various other reL;'iiiients. their records are ecjuallx' deserx-
iiiL,^ of a phice on the ilhistrious scroll of the nation's lionoretl —
soldier heroes.
The following;" list of the soldiers includes some who enlistetl
in other places but whose homes were really in Concord :
■ Died in the service ; the person's name will also be found in a list of the dead.
n\K HUXDRKDIH RK(;i M KNI' ^'E^\ \()KK \()1.U.\ rKllR^. ( i >.M-
I'AW A.
Major Daniel D. Nash, h'rancis L. Arnold,
Capt. Wm. L. Mayo, Nathan J. Arnold.
Serg. Carlos H. Richmond. (ieorge Arnold,
Scrg. Thos. W. Small, Thos. Dillon,
Scrg. Byron Bristol. Hiram M. Fisk.
*Corp. Charles B. Kellogg. "Jacob l^^-iednicUi.
Corp. Thos. M. Allen, Ed. (i. (iibson,
■'•'Corp. Charles H. Flanders. Henr)- S. (joodman.
Corp. |. S. Bibbens, Nicholas (ieorgen,
Emerson Gates, James L. Gaylord.
Daniel Hicks, "Uriah F. Hill.
Marion Eincoln, John Roller,
■■^Roswcll Merrifield. Ebenczer Spooner,
Nicholas Streit, Frank Smith,
Wm. H. Sill, Daniel H. Stebbon.
"Thos. C. Sweet, Sylvester Wiser,
"Geo. Bishop, -'^'hillip Wiser,
"Clark C. Dickerman.
OXli IIUXDREI) AXl) SIXTKE.Xril KKGIMEXT, NKW ^•()RK \()L-
UNTEERS, COMPAX'Y F.
Capt. (ieorge .S. Stanbro. Rollin J. Albro,
Capt. Charles S. Crary, George Annaerter,
Lieut. Clinton Hammond. "'Peter Brooks.
Scrg. John Ci. Dayton. Morris Barnett.
*Corp. Samuel A. Mayo, Martin Bui)-,
Corp. Anthou)' Reiser, Edward Bement,
William A. hV-rrin, Marshall K. Davis.
Stephen E. .S[)aulding, Jacob Earner,
Benjamin S. Goddard. Alonzo Hilliker,
rill'. \f)i.iN ri-.i:k s(ti.i)ii:K>.
20:
I'l'edcrick I li >\\'i'laiul.
■■'Marl<s 1 ,ouk,
"•■'Jolin 1 1. Mayo,
Julian 1 1. KIkhIcs,
"••■John 1 1 . Tluirher,
Carlos Waitc,
Cornelius (iraft.
Scrq;. James 1^. Webber,
Uriah C. L)'nde, Surgeon.
Jacob Chiefferle,
"•^■Daniel Wriehl,
Julius A. MeClure.
Theron Alatthewson,
Cornelius ( )strancler,
llenr\- W. Shultus,
h'ranklin C. Shultus,
•■'I^'abian Warner,
Lorenzo Johnson,
Marion Johnson,
Joseph S. W'.irner,
■■'■John W. rwichell,
■■'Hiram H . Tvrer.
Theotlore B. Norris.
.MIS(i;i.l,ANE()L^S LIST.
"Eugene Walker- 44th Re^., Inf. Co. A,(i'eoi)le's Rllsworlh. )
■"Irvini,r l^ike — 44th Re^., Inf.. Co. A, (l'eo[)le's Mllsworth.)
■•■'Jerome Myer.s — 44th ReL;., Inf., Co. .\, ( l'eo|)le's T'Jlsw orth.)
"•■"ilenr)- C. Hammond — 44th Ke^., Inf., Co. A, (People's I^lls-
worth.)
Tyler H. Stearns 44th KeL;.. Inf., Co. A, ( l'eoi)le"s Kllsworth.)
Lan.son A. Stanbro — i 16th N. Y. V., Co. C.
Alonzo v. Killom — 1 i6th X. Y. V., Co. K.
William Woodward— 64th X. Y. V., Co. A.
(ieort^e Smead — 64th X. Y. V., Co. A.
Elmore Hement — 2d Rey;. California Ca\'., Co. (i.
Frank I'. S])auldin<,^ — 36th Re-. X. Y. \'., Co. A.
Col. H. V. .Spauldin^- — 7th Rey;. U. S. colored troo[)s.
James McRea— ist Ret;-. 111. Li^ht Artiller\-, Batter\- I.
Nathan Humphrey — 1st l^atalion, N. Y. sharj) shooters, 8th Co.
.\lonzo I^ooth — 97th N. Y. \. iConklin Rifles), Co. K., drafted.
Corp. John P. L'nderhill lolh X. Y. Caw
Capt. William II. Warner--4th .\rk. Cav., Co. V.
Serg. Humphrey Drake — i i6th N. Y. Cav., Co. H.
■^'Leroy Coo[)er — 187th X. Y. V.
Henry Himes.
Elnathan (Griffith— 1 16th X. Y. V., Co. K.
EuL^ene I', h'.llis.
William Henry Sprai^iie.
William Vannatta— 64th X. Y. V.
208 LIST ()1- Till-. KII.LKI).
"'^FJias Vannatta — 64th N. Y. V.
I'rcston Richardson.
Tctcr Prior — 147th, Co. D.
Job Woodward.
Martin Miller— 21 st N. Y. V.
W. B. Jcwett— 2ist N. Y. V.
William Black— 45th, Co. I.
AmericLis Lincoln — 147th, Co. I).
*Jame.s Darling.
*Joseph Y. Gardinier — 2d Minn. Cav.
Serg. George W. Pierce — 187th N. Y. V., Co. E.
*Jacob F. Goodbread— i.^7th N. Y. V., Co. 15.
*Thoma.s Page.
*Philip Mentz—iooth N. Y. V., Co. A.
*Chauncey Joslin — 64th N. Y. V., Co. A.
^Alfred Shippy.
LIST OF THOSE WHO WERE EITHER KILLED OR DIED IN THE
SERVICE.
Corp. Charles B. Kellogg — killed in Virginia.
Corp. Charles F. Flanders — killed in the attack on Fort Wag-
ner, July 18, 1883.
Roswell Merrifield — killed June 28, 1892, at Bottom Bridge.
Thomas C. Sweet — killed June 28, 1862, at Bottom Bridge.
Jacob P'riedman — killed.
Uriah F. Hill — died at Andersonville prison.
Phillip Wiser — killed May 26, 1862, at Seven Pines.
Corp. Samuel A. Mayo — died Aug. 8, 1862.
Mark Louks— killed at Port Hudson, June 14, 1863.
John H. Mayo — died of wounds received, Aug. 11, 1863.
John H. Thurber — lost at sea, July 10, 1864.
F'abian Warner — died at Baton Rouge, July 26, 1863.
Eugene Walker — killed at second battle of Bull Run.
Irving Pike — died in the service.
Jerome Myers — killed at Malvern Hill.
Henry C. Hammond — killed at second battle of Bull Run.
Leroy Cooper — died in the hospital at Washington, in 1864.
Elias Vannatta — shot.
James Darling — died in Andcrsonxille prison.
Joseph Y. Gardinier — died at St. Louis, P^eb. 7. 1862.
■niK i'RKsii\ri:Ri.\N chircii oi' si'ri.\(;\ii,lk. 209
lacob V. Goodbrcad — starved to death in Andersonville prison.
Daniel Wright — died of wound. May 17, 1863, in Louisiana.
Peter Brooks — died Aug. 13, 1863, in Louisiana.
John W. Twichell — died Sept. 22, 1863, at Cairo, Illinois.
Hiram H. Tyrer — died May 9, 1864, at New Orleans,
(ieorge Bishop — died of wounds received at Bull Run.
Thomas Page — died Sept. 27, 1863, of wounds received at
Chickamauga.
Philip "Mentz — died on Morris Island.
Chaunce\' Joslin — died of camp fcxer, at Versailles. N. Y.,
Jan. 12, 1863.
Alfred Shipey — died in the hospital. .
Clark C. Dickerman — died July 18, 1863, at Fort Wagner.
Owing to the destruction of valuable records, the above rec-
ord is imperfect and contains omissions and doubtless errors
which are seemingh' unavoidable.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SPRINGVILLE.
The Presbyterian Church of Springville was first organized
as a Congregational Church Nov. 2nd, 1816, by Rev. John
Spencer, consisting of but nine members of whom John Russell
was chosen its first deacon and was ever after looked up to by
the church as its father and truest friend. Rev. John Spencer
was a character that deserves more than a passing notice. He
was a missionary sent out by the home board to labor on the
Holland Purchase. His labors and toils were abundant in this
county but more particularly in Cattaraugus and Chatauqua
counties. He was wonderfully full of vivacit)', a rare wit and
a genial companion. In all the anecdotes related of him, and
they are very man>', I have never heard of but one instance of
his failing to ha\e a read\' response. He was once walking
through the streets of Fredonia leading his old gray mare,
which as ever seemed inclined to hang back. Passing a tailor
shoj) where a couple of tailors sat sewing b)- the open window,
one called out to him, " Friend, are you traveling far?" He
answers " No." " Ah, I thought if you were, I would advise
\-ou to swap off \'our old horse for a bob-sled and get some-
thing you could draw easier." He stopped, took off his hat
and bowed, saying, " Gentlemen, I have not a word to fit the
13
2IO TWENTV-ONE MEMBERS IN 1820.
occasion," and passed on enjoyin<^ the joke hugely, which he
often repeated. Deacon Russell once said with his eyes humid
with emotion, " That anecdote always brings good old father
Spencer with his old gray mare visibly before me." Father
Spencer was always ready for every good word and work, a
great worker, sowing the seed unsparingly, and was very suc-
cessful in securing an abundant har\est. So kind, loving and
spiritual that he, under God, succeeded in drawing together
and organizing more churches, it is said, than any other man
that ever labored in these three counties. He was pastor of a
great number of churches at the same time and for many years.
The place where this little band met to worship and encourage
one another's hearts to stem the tide of worldly influences was
the old school-house standing in the rear of the Presbyterian
Church which was burned down about fift}'-five years ago.
There they met every Sabbath, whether they had a preacher
to lead them or not. If they had they rejoiced, if not
they felt the command was " worship God." Some brother
read a hymn and the)' all joined in the hoh- song with
grateful hearts. No doubt there would have been some
harsh, grating discords had the song of this little band fell on
the ears of some of the fashionable quartettes of the present
time (w'hose artistic displays seem more in keeping with the
gymnastics of the day than as a part of religious service). But
the business of this little band here in the w ilderness was to
worship and please God, and the}- needed none to lead them
save the Spirit in this most delightful and impressive part of
Christian worship. The h}'mn sung, another brother prayed
and then some minister in heaven preached to them b)' his ser-
mon being read to them here on earth. Thus they continued
about five years, when a Mr. Fitch, a son of Dr. Fitch, of W^il-
liams college, was sent to them. The first subscription ever
drawn up in the Town of Concord for the support of the Gos-
pel was for his benefit in the}-ear 1820. The numbers of mem-
bership had now increased from the original nine to twenty-one.
as follows: John Russell, John Ewers, George W. Robinson,
Hannah Ewers, Silas H. Clexeland, Ruth Morrill, Anna Robin-
son, Sergeant Morrill, Thomas McGee, Hannah Green, Cath-
rina Cochran, Betse\' h'rye, Asa Phillips, Rhoda Phillips, Cath-
THK FIRST RKVIVAl, I\ SPRIN( ;VII,I,F.. 211
rina Knox, L\'dia Russell. John M. Richards, I^Hzabcth Austin,
William Hcrrick and Mary Hcnick. Mr. Fitch remained but
one year, and was succeeded in 1821 or 1822 by l^'ather Ingalls,
who remained four or five years, preachin^^ one-half the time
here and receivins;' his missionar\- aid for a part of his supi)ort.
Under his ministry the church and community was blessed with
its first revival, and this was a i^eneral one throuLjhout the com-
munity, and here man}' of the first prominent settlers took a
stand for Christ. The fruits of this revival went in part to
start the other churches. The Methodists had organized a class
about 1820. The Baptists organized a society from the fruits
of this revival in 1824 and a church several years later. The
Methodists were so ^strengthened by this revival that the)- com-
menced building a church edifice in 1827. The house was
enclosed, except glazing, and remained so for some \'ears.
Through the kindness of the Methodists, the Congregational
church was permitted to meet in their house occasionally.
There they worshiped on slab seats laid on blocks of wood,
their worship being in no way incommoded thereby, but as a
board from the windows, or places for the windows, had to be
removed to let in light iov the singers ; use was found for the
old bandana handkerchiefs to cover the heads of the worship-
ers. All the religious meetings held statedly in the place
up to this time were held b)- this little band, others oiil\-
having occasional meetings, while they met every Sabbath.
The next minister who labored with this church was Kliphalet
Spencer, of Middlebury academ\-. who commenced his
labors in the Winter of 1828-9. ^ ^''^ number since the revival
had increased to fifty-one. Mr. Spencer's labors were not suc-
cessful, as the Masonic excitement was then at its height and
absorbed the public mind. Mr. Spencer being a Mason found
it impossible to do much good in a community where so many
were incensed against the institution. The walls of the academy
were now up and the church met w ithin them at anotlier time in
the ball chamber of the Johnson Bensley Hotel, later known as
the Sjjringville House. They worshiped here for sometime un-
der the ministrations of Re\'. S. H. Gridley, since known as Dr.
(iridley. He was from Clinton, Oneida count\% and preached
his first sermon to this church — a man of talent and ardent
212 THE CHIRCH DKHKATKI > IN 1 832.
piety. He was the first man who exer preached in this phice
all the time. He left in 1830, the church still weak but united
and happy and was succeeded by Father \\ ilcox, an aged man.
who labored a few months without any special engagement,
and left in 1S31. At this time the erection of the old house of
worship was commenced, under very embarassed circumstances,
but few to put their shoulder to the wheel and the land-debts
resting very heavily upon them In June. 1832. this meeting-
house was finished The dedication took place on the 6th day
of June. The ministry present to assist were Revs. Abial Parme-
lee and T. S. Harris The church had now conveniences and
comforts, of which it had known nothing in its previous exist-
ence. It had Avorshiped in the old log school-house, the unfin-
ished walls of the academy, the old factory where Deacon Rus-
sell furnished dinner or lunch for all who came, in the ball-
chamber, in the unfinished Methodist edifice, sitting on slabs of
the roughest material, and never were privileges prized higher
than these. Xow the\- had a comfortable and commodious
house of worship and the celebrated union-meeting of the Bap-
tist and Congregational churches was entered into by previous
arrangement. Following this dedication the ministers were
Parmelee and Harris. Congregationalists; Loomis and Med-
calfe. Baptists. This meeting continued for several weeks ; as
the result, twenty-one were added to the church on profession
and fourteen by letter, increasing the number to seventy. Par-
melee remained five years, closing his labors here in Januarj',
1839. Number of communicants had increased one hundred
and fifty-three. He was succeeded by Re\ . A. P. Hawley, who
became the first pastor of the church : was installed Jan. 30,
1839. '^ \ery ardent attachment soon sprung up between
pastor and people with promise of good results. But Mr. Haw-
ley was laid aside from the pulpit by the fall of a tree in the
winter of 1840, from which he ne\"er recovered, and in August,
1840. the pulpit was again declared vacant.
The church has now reached a point within the recollection
of most of our citizens and we will onh' give the names of
pastors and other facts in a condensed manner. Rev. Z. Edd\-
commenced his labors in the winter of 1840 and '41. and closed
in October. 1844. Number of communicants reported at the
I UK MKIHODIST CHURCH OF S1'KIN(.\ Il.LH. 213
next meeting of Prt'sb\tcr\- was ^22. March. '45, a call was
jjiven to Hiram Eddy, who became the third pastor of the
church and durin<^ his stay the church built the church edifice
in which it nowworships. The pastoral relation wasdissolved in
June, 1850. The pulpit has since been supplied by ministers and
pastors in the following order: Rev. Benj. F. Millan, i year;
Rev. Isaac E. Curr}-, 3 years; Rev. Robert L. Conklin. 1 year;
Rev. Claudius B. Lord, 3 years : Re\ . Nathan Allen, 5 \'ears ;
Rev. J. T. Manning. 3 years: Rev. John A. Wells, 11 years.
Under his pastorate the church members increased fifty per
cent., and the house of worship was re-modeled at an expense
of over $6,000. Rev. \V. A. Robinson is the present pastor.
METHODI5T EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SPRIXGVILLE.
From the best information that can be obtained, it appears
that as early as 1814 and 1815. Methodist meetings were held
by a Methodist preacher named " Jenkins," at the house of
Ezekiel Smith, in the town of Sardinia (then Concord), on
Lord's hill, eight miles east of Springville. Subsequentlv
Methodist meetings were held at George Richmond's, thre^'
miles east of Springville. About the year 1820. a Methodist
church was organized at the school house of Liberty pole cor-
ners, one mile east of Springville, by a Methodist preacher
known as Father Hall. So far as can now be ascertained, the
members of the church thus organized were James Hinman
and Phebe Hinman, his wife : Charles C. Wells and Susan
Wells, his wife ; Samuel Shaw and Phebe Shaw, his wife. No
other names of members can be ascertained. In the year 1823,
this conference district was know n as the Erie district, Gleazen
Fillmore, Presiding Elder, and the circuit was known as Boston
circuit. Andrew Peck and John Copeland were the cir-
cuit preachers connected with the charge, and meetings were
held by them alternately once in two weeks. At a later date,
meetings were held at a school house in Springville, that stood
just west of where the Presbyterian church now stands. In the
year 1825, this was known as the BufTalo district, Loring Grant.
Presiding Elder, under whose leadership a church edifice was
erected. Orrin Lewis was the builder. The church edifice
thus built stood on the north side of the public square, and was
214 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPRINGVILLE.
used as a place of worship by the Methodists until 1863, when
the present church edifice was completed, which was built under
the supervision of the Rev. S. Y. Hammond, the preacher then
in charge. The edifice is built of brick and of modern .style
and finish, located upon a lot of ample size, with a commodious
parsonage of appropriate style, in close proximity. A fair
estimate of the value of the property could not fall short of
$10,000. The present membership, at this date of 1883, is 110.
Sunday school teachers and children, seventy-five. The present
Board of Trustees are: Stephen E. Tefft, W. H. Pingey, Byron
Wells. B. A. Lowe, H. G. Leland, L. M. Cumming.s, Frank
Thurber, Newcomb Churchill, William McMillen. Rev. Will-
iams, present pastor.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN SPRINGVILLE.
In January, 1827, the first Baptist church in Springville was
organized. The articles of faith now held by the church were
adopted, and Rufus C. Eaton was chosen Deacon. At the time
of its organization the church was composed of eighteen mem-'
bers, eight males and ten females. Their names were as
follows : Zebulon Stratton, Levinus Cornwell, R. C. Eaton,
Almon Fuller, Sylvester Eaton, W. W. Cornwell, Chauncey
Pond, Elisha Eaton, Thankful White, Betsey P\iller, Sally
Weeden, Sally Eddy, Eunice House, Juda Rhodes, Waitee
Richmond, Eliza H. Eaton, Susannah Pond, Louisa Cornwell.
About this time Elder Eliab Going was solicited to visit
Springville, to preach and baptise a few persons. In January,
1828, the church numbered thirty-five members, and Whitman
Metcalf became its nominal ]:)astor, intending to preach one-
fourth of the time.
In 1832, Elder Loomis preached to the church.
In June, 1833, Elder David Searle became pastor of the
church.
On the 14th of December, Daniel Parsons was chosen Deacon.
In 1834, a new meeting house was built and dedicated Janu-
ary 27, 1835, the dedicatory sermon being preached b)' IClder
Elisha Tucker, of Buffalo.
On the 27th of March, 1836, Elder Searle, who had labored
successfully as pastor for three years, was dismissed witli a
NAMES OF I'ASrORS. 21 5
letter of commendation, and soon after, the Rev. W. T. Crane
became pastor of the church and remained one year.
In the Spring- of 1S37, Rev. G. W. Warren assumed the jias-
toral charge of the church. June i/th, Lansing Waugh was
hcensed to preacli. In August, 140 communicants were pres-
ent. In November, R. D. Campbell was inxited to improve his
gifts of preaching (and was afterward licensed), and Thomas
Pierce was chosen Deacon.
In December, the following resolution was adopted by the
church, viz :
"' Rcsoh'cd, That we will not admit to fellowship any indi-
vidual who will not abstain from the use of ardent spirits,
except as a medicine."
In August, 1838, Elder Searle united with the church and
became its pastor the second time. He continued to labor in
that capacity till 1841. In 1841, Rev. Newell Smith became
the pastor of the church. In September, 1842, he asked for a
dismission. In October, Harry A. Sears w as licensed to preach.
Twenty-seven had been baptised and twent\-five received by
letter.
In October, 1842, Fllder Anson Tucker became pastor of the
church. On the iithof August, 1844, 'i*-' preached his fare-
well sermon, having been dismissed at his request. In the Fall,
A. H. Danforth, a student from Hamilton, preached during
vacation. His brother, H. M. Danforth, was invited to preach,
but he remained but a short time. Elder E. G. Hatch supplied
the church a few months. Elder Orsamus Ta)'ntor, from the
Free Will Baptist, united with this church at this time and was
licen.sed to preach. Edwin Saunders and Alvin T. Cole were
licensed also.
In September, 1845, 1"^*-'^'- ^^- W. Mills accepted an invitation
to the pa.storal office which he occupied till the year 1849, '^"^
then supplied the desk till 1850. While Elder Mills remained
pastor, twenty-seven were baptised and thirty-five received by
letter. The church which had graduall}- increased since its
organization in 1827, now seems to have arrived at the height
of its numerical force, reporting to the association held at
Arcade in 1850 the aggregate number of 266.
On the 24th of Februarv. 1850, Rev. Whitman Metcalf
2l6 FREE BAPTIST CHURCH SOCIETY.
became Pastor. On the 1st of May, 1853, twenty were bap-
tized. After four years' labor Elder Metcalf offered his resig-
nation which was reluctanth' accepted.
On June 24, 1855, Rev. John Smitzer became Pastor.
While he remained thirty-eight were baptized and added to
the church.
In April, 1857, Rev. John Pitman became Pastor and remained
two )'ears.
In January, i860, Rev. Clinton Colgrove became Pastor of
the church and continued to preach to the church till the P'all
of 1861.
In the Spring of 1862 the Rev. H. H. Phelps became Pastor.
He continued two years and was succeeded in July 1864, by
Rev. Ira W. Simpson, who had entered on the fourth year of
his pastorate when he died.
In June, 1868, an agreement was made with Professor Rogers,
of Griffith Institute, to supph' the desk for three monthes.
In April, 1868, Rev. Charles Wilkinson commenced his labors
as Pastor, and continued a year and a half, and was succeeded
by Rev. E. L. Benedict Nov. i, 1869.
In 1873, Rev. William Look became Pastor. He was suc-
ceeded by Rev. B. E. Hillman in 1876.
Rev. E. T. Fox commenced his labors in 1879.
The Rev. Mr. Owen, the present Pastor, commenced his labors
in 1882.
Since 1854, the church has declined in numbers, more, per-
haps, from emigration than any other cause, the youth and
the older members of many families seeking homes in the
West.
In the year 1871 the church edifice was repaired and enlarged.
L. M. Kellogg & Son had the job, and Thomas Lincoln was
the master builder, as he also was of the old church. The new
edifice was dedicated on the 28th of November, 1871.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH SOCIETY OF SPRINGVILLE,
About fifty years ago the P'ree Will Baptist denomination
held regular meetings at Springville. They had no church
edifice and met in the Methodist church and the school-house.
The first local pastor was Rev. H. Whitcher, a young man who
ROMAN-fAlIIOUr CIIUKCH ()1- Sl'KI \( i\ I I.LK. 21/
attciulctl school at the Acadeni)- and prcachctl to his congrega-
tion on the Sabbath. He remained about two years and after-
wards became prominent!}' connected with an F.W. H. Seminar\-
in Oneida County.
After several )'ears it would seem meetings were discontin-
ued, and no society existed in Springville, organizations being
maintained at East and West Concord.
On the 26th of May. 1867, the present church society was
organized in Springville. The following were the principal
original members : — Mr. and Mrs. Albro, Mr. and Mrs. Leigh-
ton, Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Gaylord, Mrs. Weeden, Mrs. Stanbro
and Miss Alice McClure.
On the iith of June, 1868, a permanent organization was
effected by the election of the following board of trustees : —
Emmons Jones, Emery D. Albro, Stephen R. Smith, Walter
A. Fox and Horatio A. Barker. S. R. Smith was elected
treasurer and H. A. Barker clerk. At a meeting of the board
June 15, a plan for building a church, drawn by Mr. Porter,
architect, of Buffalo, was adopted, and July 29th the contract
for building the church was let to S. R. Smith for eight
thousand dollars. Calvin Smith, Emery D. Albro, Emmons
Jones and S. R. Smith each subscribed one thousand dollars
toward the construction of the church. The church was dedi-
cated March 12th, 1870, Rev. G. H. Ball, of Buffalo, preached
the dedicatory sermon. Rew B. C. Van Duzee was first pastor,
he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Cook who remained until
1875, then Rev. B. F. Herrick ofificiated one year, followed by
Mr. Van Duzee. who preached one year, when Rew A. J. Hr}--
ant who remains up to the present writing.
ST, ALOYSIUS ROMAN-CATHOLIC CHURCH OF SPRINGVILLE,
The church property was purchased of George Holland Oct.
22, 1856, formerly owned and occupied by the F^irst Pre.sby-
terian church of Springville. The Board of Trustees consists
of five persons, the Bishop and Vicar-General being ex-ojficio
Trustees, and also the Pastor, who appoints annually two lay-
men as Trustees ; the two laymen now acting as Trustees are
Victor Collard and Peter Saelzler. FVom 1853 to May 15,
1869, this was onl\- a missionar}- station: Ma\' 15 irf6Q a per-
2l8 FREE BAPTIST CHURCH OF EAST -CONC* )RI >.
manent Pastor was appointed and a residence built. April 14,
1878 ground was broken for the new church edifice, which was
built during that season ; Thomas Lincoln was the architect and
builder. The church was dedicated Sept. 18, 1879. The church
edifice has a seating capacity of four hundred, has a bell weigh-
ing 506 pounds, the main building being \o6j4 feet in length,
having an audience n^om of 70x40 feet; in the rear, unparti-
tioned is a sanctuary 30x22 feet ; the cost of the church prop-
erty was about $8,000; number of church members, about four
hundred ; the present Pastor is Rey. F. X. Fromholzer.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SPRINGVILLE
The P^irst Universalist Church Society of Springville was
organized in 1846. Rev. L George, Abram Dyrgert, I. B. Childs
and Jonathan Mayo, were the first trustees.
The following constituted the principal original male mem-
bers of the society :
Abram Dyrgert, Lewis Childs, L B, Childs, Benj. Wheeler,
Chester Spencer, Sewell Hakes, Baltus Goodemote, Philip
Goodemote, Michael C. Huffstader, Jonathan Mayo, Rev. L
George, C. C. McClure, Perrin Sampson, William Ballou, John
Ballou, Jonathan Briggs, Jacob Badgley, O. D. Curtis and Dr.
L. C. Pool. ^ .
The church was built in 1 847. Re\\ L George the first pastor,
preached the dedicatory sermon. Rev. L George was suc-
ceeded as pastor by Rev. C H. Dutton, he by Rev. T. J. Whit-
comb, and he by the Rev. J. B. Saxe, the last one who preached
regularly to the society.
In 1879 the church edifice was sold to Messrs. Horris Hall
and L B. Childs, who re-modeled it into the present Opera
House. The avails of the sale were given into the keeping of
the New York State Convention of Universalists, as a fund to
be used for the benefit of the denomination.
FREE BAPTIST CHURCH OF EAST CONCORD.
The societ)' was organized about sixty years ago by Elder
Richard Car)-, of Boston. For a number of years meetings
were held at the Block school house ; afterwards at the Sharp
street school house. The present church edifice at East Con-
cord was built in 1S52, previous to which Elder Cary preached
KKKK ISAl'TIST CIll'KCIl OK WKSl lONCORD. 2ig
;it intervals for many years; Elders Folsom, VVhitcher. Bab-
cock and Plumb also preached. Of the original members, Mrs.
Achsie Townsend, of Townsentl Hill, is the oiiK- survivin<,^ one.
Giles Churchill, Prentis Stanbro, Sen., Prentis Stanbro, Jr., E.
Steele, Woodruff Van Dusan. George L. Stanbro and Sterling-
Titus have been the deacons of the church from its organiza-
tion to the present time, in the order as stated above.
The following are the names of the ministers who ha\e
preached to the society since the building of the church in
1852: B. H. Damon, Elder Plyn, Ashly Ensign, B. H. Damon.
Elder Barker, Elder Van Duzee, Elder Stuart, Elder Starr.
Charles Cook, Elder Van Duzee, B. F. Herrick and A. F. Bry-
ant. The present membership is about one hundred.
WEST CONCORD FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
About 1818 a few churchmen organized a Free-VVill Baptist
Society at West Concord. Among the early members were
Jeremiah Richardson and wife. Elijah Richardson and wife.
Stephen Knight and wife, Simeon Holton and wife, Elijah,
Polly and Caroline Richardson.
The first meetings were held in the school-house, at Nichols'
corners. Elder Richard Gary was the first minister to preach
to the society and of^ciated as pastor for many years. Stephen
Knight, Elder Rindalls, Elder Plumb, Jonathan Canfield and
Elder Andrus were among the early ministers.
The church edifice was built about 1 845. The dedicatory
services were conducted by Elder Andrus. Jeremiah Rich-
ardson was among those who were most efficient in building
the church.
WEST CONCORD M. E. CHURCH.
In 1819 a Methodist Society was organized in West Con-
cord. Among the original members were Lewis Nichols and
wife, Abijah Nichols and wife, Isaac Nichols and wife, David
and Betsey Nichols, Lewis Nichols, Jr., Mrs. Hira Lush and Mrs.
Vernam Cooper. The first meetings were held in an old log
school house.
Elder Buell was the first to preach to the societ)'. Other
earh' ministers were Elder Parker, John Copeland, Elder Wiley,
Elder Bingham. Inkier Castleton and Re\-. Joseph Hines
22C THE SPKIXCVILLE ACADEMY.
The church edifice was built about 1868. It was dedicated
by Rev. B. I. Ives, at that time chaplain of Auburn State prison.
While Rev. Thomas Castleton was preaching to the church,
a spirited revival took place, which resulted in many converts
joining the church.
THE SPRINGVILLE ACADEMY.
OUTIJXE HIST()R^".
The original subscription for raising means to build the
Springville Academy, was dated Dec. 14th, 1825, and among
other provisions contained the following:
" 3d. We hereby agree to pay to the trustees to be appointed
by us as above stated, the several sums set opposite our names,
as follows : One-third in grain or materials for building on the
first of March next, one-third in salable young stock on the first
of September next, and the other third in cash, half of which
is to be paid the first of June ne.xt, and the other half on the
first of Jan., 1827, all to be estimated at cash price."
It was a serious matter for the people of Springville and
vicinity to undertake at that early day to build an Academy.
The country was new and the people were poor, and when we
look back and consider the circumstances in which they were
[)laccd, we must admire and commend the wisdom and the
energy and perseverance with which they conceived and carried
out the difficult undertaking. In 1825 there was no great city
and no good markets within hundreds of miles of this place, and
people could get but xcxy little money for their products,
because there was ver}' little money in the country ; but it is
evident that if these old pioneers had but little money, they
had what is sometimes better than money — they had "sand."
COPY OF THE ORKilNAl. SUBSCRIPTION LIST.
Names Shares $15 v'ames Shares $15 Names Shares S15
^^^^^- each. -^ame^. ^^^.[^ iNames. ^^^^_
Samuel Lake 5 Luther .\ustin i Wm. Vaughn i
Henry Sears 4 Geo. Shultz 3 Archibald (irififith 2
Carlos Emmons 2 Wm. Shultz 2 Jeremiah Wilcox, half in
W. F. G. Lake 2 John Goodemotc 2 May next and half in
Frederick White 2 C. C. Wells i Feb., 1S27 4
Rufus C. Eaton 4 Samuel Cochran 4 Wm. Rouse i
Rufus Eaton 3 Jacob Rushmore 2 Isaac Palmer i
Liger & Herrick -: 3 Derius Palmer, by consent. 1 Otis Butterworth. Jr i
Lcvinus Cornwell 2 Robert .-Vngur i lohn Drake i
ORKilXAI. SUHSCRIl'TION LIST
221
Joseph McMillan 4
John Russell 3
Otis D. Tibits 2
R. G . Murray i
David Furjiuson i
Varney In^^als 3
Wales EmniDns 2
Christopher Douf^las i
Jeremiah bcallin i
David Seymour i
Abel Holman 2
Jedediah Starks 2
Lewis ('hilds i
Isaac Bennett i
John Williams .. i
George R. Willard t
Johnson Bensley i
Eaton Bensley i
Sylvester Eaton 3
Truman White, on consid ■
cration that lumber is re
ceived 2
Jarvis Bloomticld . 3
Stephen Albro, Jr i
John Albro 4
Giles Churchill 2
Elisha Russell, to be paid in
brick, at cash price 2
Seth Allen 2
Asa Wells i
Thomas Johnson 2
Alanson Lovelace i
Elikum Rhodes i
David Shultz, to be paid in
cattle 2
Augustus G. Elliott i
Silas Rushmore 2
Harvev Stephenson i
Lothrop Beebe i
Jairus Reynolds, to be paid
in stone and labor i
Phineas Scott 1
Samuel Lake i
Selah Squires i
Alden S. Sprajjue 2
Tousley & Tuttle 4
Wm. Wedon i
Eaton Bensley i
Justus Scott I
Charles Chaffee 1
Jacob Drake i
Samuel Cochran i
S . S . Ellsworth 2
Elisha Mack i
B. B. Mason i
Chauncy Lee i
M. L. Arnold i
Samuel Stewart, 3
Abial Gardner, to be paid
in brick, at cash price. ... 2
Nathan King i
Charles Wells 2
Joseph Jackson i
David Bensley i
Stukely Starks i
Geo. C. Grayham i
Isaac Knox 2
John Holdridge i
Truman Bensley i
The following were subscri-
bed in 1830, or subsequently :
Carlos Emmons 2
Samuel Lake 2
Brooks & Wendover
Elbert W. Cook
Samuel J. Church
Sylvester B. PecK
Eaton & Butterworth
Manly Colton
Elbert W. Cook
Kingsbury & Hoveland.. .
Carlos Emmons
Jarvis Bloomfield
Pliny Smith, Jr
Joseph Harkness
Morgan L. Badgley
Geo. Shultus
Ebenezer Dibble
Amaziah Ashman
Samuel Cochran
STRIXCVILLK AtADE.Nn'
was incorporated by an act of the Ley;islature, March 19, 1827,
being the second academy incorporated on the HoHand Pur-
chase, Fredonia Academ)- having been incorporated in 1824.
The walls of the Acadeni}' were put up in 1827.
The first term of school held in the Springville Academy
commenced in the fall of. 1830. Hiram H. Barne}' was the
Principal and Miss Mary Elliot the Preceptress.
No record of the names of students could be found, but
according to the best recollection of several who attended at
that time, the following named persons were students, the whole
or a part of the first year :
Cephus R Leiand,
Marshall Leiand,
Sarah Leiand,
Marion Leiand,
Hannah Henman,
Patience Starks,
Julia Rhodes,
Emily Rhodes,
Lewis Hewitt.
Jacob White.
Dolphin Stevenson,
Chester Calkins,
^hlrvin .Swain,
Sarah Clark.
Amy Huntly.
Hiram Bloomtield,
John Jackson,
Eliza Sampson.
Charles Sherman,
Sarah Ann Wells.
Rebecca Brooks.
William .McMillan,
Deljs E. Sillman,
Henry Radcliff,
Andrew Stevens,
Louisa Richm->nd,
Roderick White,
Smith and McKay, of
Manstield,
Miranda Bowen,
Timothy Lockwood,
Wells Brooks,
Sard is Wilco.x,
H. Lockwood,
Asa Piiillips,
Samuel Bradley,
222
THE '' GRIFFITH INSTITUTE,
Harriet Swift,
Theodore Potter,
John Churchill,
Adaline Murray,
Caroline Cochran,
Orson Cochran,
Joseph Cochran,
Byron Cochran,
Sarah Ann Bensley,
Harriet White,
Frederick Alerrell,
Miss Merrell,
Martha Johnson,
Morris Fosdick ,
Harriet Barney,
Caroline Gregory,
Alonzo Gregory, of
Ellicottville,
Wales Butterworth,
AppletonButterworth,
Mary Eaton,
Nelson Hopkins,
William Dibble.
Sarah Dibble,
Helen McMillan,
Selem Sears,
Otis Morton,
Mary Morton,
Anna Moulton,
Betsy Brooks,
Washington Shultu?
Lucy Shultus,
Julia Ann Shultus,
Elias Steele,
Roderick Simonds,
Harriet Evans,
Asaph Potter,
Oliver Canfield,
Orville Canfield,
Samuel Abbott,
Chauncy Abbott,
Stephen Chafee,
Utley and sister.
Hunt of Eden,
Roach of Buffalo,
Eliza Bradley,
Calex Calkins,
Almina Whitcomb,
John Lockwood,
A. A. Arm stead,
A. Pool,
Paul Nobles,
Franklin Spencer,
Calvin R. Davy,
Cyrenius Simmons,
Mr. Wright,
IVIr. Tiffany,
Mr. Conklin,
Mr. Ailen.
Mr. Barney was succeeded by Lorenzo Parsons, as Perceptor^
in 1833 ; he was follow^ed in 1839, by Edwin E. Williams, he
by A. C. Huestis. 1841 to 1843 ^ E. C. Hall in 1844. October,
1845, \Vm. Mosheir. January, 1847, J. W. Earle came. He was
followed by Moses Lane in 1850. Ezekiel Cutler and Eden
Sprout taught next, each for a }'ear, in 1853 and 1854. In 1855,
Wm. S. Aumuck took charge. In the latter part of 1858, Rev-
David Copeland became Principal and continued to occupy the
position till 1865 ; he was followed b)' Charles R. Pomeroy,
and he by W. W. Mclntyre, and he by W. H. Rogers, in 1867.
A. R. Weightman was employed in 1870 and W. H. Rogers
again in 1872. J. W. O'Brien was the next principal, and he
was followed by Samuel W. Eddy in 1875.
The teachers of the female department of the Academy
have been :
Miss Starkweather, Miss Warner,
.Miss Versalla Barber, Miss Case,
Miss Marten,
Miss Emma Clark,
Mrs. Pomroy,
Mrs. E. B. Rogers,
Miss Mary Elliot. Miss Decker,
Miss Sayles. Sarah Houstis,
Miss Chamberlin, Lucretia Murray, Mrs. Aumock,
Miss North, Silena N. Johnson, Miss Field,
Miss Whitlock, Miss Hannah McClure, Miss Emmons.
Harriet N. Murry, Mrs. Carpenter, .Miss Copeland,
Miss O'Brien, Miss Libbie Mayo.
In 1867 the name of the Academy was changed to the
" Griffith Institute," in consideration of the liberal donation
given to the institution by Archibald Griffith, of the town of
Concord.
Mr. Griffith afterwards bequeathed o\'er ten thousand dol-
lars to the institution as a permanent fund, to be used mainly
for the free education of orphans and indigent children ot the
town of Concord.
SKMI-CKNTKXMAl. (EI.KIJRATIOX. 223
In tlic fall of 1875, school districts Nos. 6 and 8 were united
and formed union school district No. I, of the town of Concord.
In (876, the l^oard of Education of Union School district
No. I, adoi)ted the "(iriffith Institute" as the academic de-
partment thereof, with the consent of the trustees of said
institute ; and the ofifices of the said Hoard of Trustees were
then declared \acant, as provided by statute.
The schools were united and ha\'e since been conducted as
one school with four departments, academic, senior, interme-
diate and primary. There are four teachers in the academic
department, and fwc teachers in the other departments.
Samuel W. Edd)' wasthe first principal, and Miss F. M. Sher-
man, the first preceptress; G. W. Ellis was the next principal,
and Miss Sherman the preceptress; Prof. E. \V. Griffith is now
principal, and Mrs. E. W. Griffith preceptress.
Many students of this institution have attained honorable
positions in societ}'. Some have been promoted to high official
positions in this and other states. Asher P. Nichols, Comp-
troller, State of New York ; Addison Gibbs, Governor of Ore-
gon ; Ualeson Smith, United States Senator, Oregon : Renj.
V. Rice, United States Senator, Arkansas; Romanzo Bunn,
Judge of the United States District Court, southern district,
Wisconsin; A. E.Carr, Brigadier General, United States army;
Henry V\ane Armen, M. C, Cattaraugus and Chatauqua counties ;
Albert Haight, Judge Supreme Court, N. Y. ; Timothy T.
Lockwood, E.x-mayor of Buffalo ; Stephen Lockwood, Ex-
judge of Erie County; Allen D. Scott, Ex-senator and Judge
Cattaraugus county ; C. P. Vedder, Ex-state Senator and State
Assessor; Charles H. Reed, District Attorney, Cook county,
Illinois, besides a large number not mentioned here.
THE SEMI-CENTENXIAI, CELEBRATION OF THE OPENING OF
THE SPKINOVILLE ACADEM\ .
The Semi-Centennial Celebration of the opening of the
Spring\'ille Academ}' — (iriffith Institute — was held at Spring-
ville, on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. i and 2, 1880.
Mr. E. Briggs first .suggested the idea of the celebration, and
circulated a paper for signatures, calling a public meeting to
consider the matter and take the necessary steps, and make the
proper arrangements, which meeting, when assembled, promptly
224 EXERCISES OF THE FIRST DAY.
voted that such a celebration should be held and appointed a
President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, and an
executive committee. The executive committee was empow-
ered by said meeting to appoint all other committees and
to make all necessary arrangements for the celebration. The
officers were :
President of the Day, - - Hon. C. C. SEVERANCE.
Vice-President, ... - W. G. RANSOM,
Secretary, - - - - A. R. Taber,
Treasurer, - - - - H. G. Leland,
executive committee.
Erasmus Briggs, - . Chainnan,
William McMillan, Henrv M. Blackmar.
George W. Weldon, Russel J. Vaughn.
Charles C. Stanbro, Byron Cochran.
George, G. Stanbro, Chain/iau of Coimnittee of Iweitatiou.
C. J. Shuttle worth, '* " Reception Committee.
M. L. Hall, " " Supper Conimittee.
Frank Prior, " " Finance Committee.
The executive committee authorized and empowered its chair-
man to proceed and make all such arrangements as he should
deem necessary and proper for the occasion which with the sanc-
tion of said committee given from time to time, he proceeded to
do, which duties occupied his time and attention constantl}', for
many weeks.
Mr. Taber also spent several weeks and faithfully performed
the laborious duties of the ofifice of Secretary. General invi-
tation was given and special invitations were sent to nearl}' all
the States and Territories and Canada, wherever it could be
ascertained a former student resided. The good people of
Springvillc and of th(p Town of Concord contributed all the
means necessary to make the celebration a success. When the
appointed time arrived, a large number of students and citizens
of this town and of other towns in this and adjoining counties
assembled — many old students coming hundreds of miles to
witness and take part in the proceedings. A rostrum was
erected in front of the academy and adjoining Franklin street,
and seats were provided and arranged for the accommodation
KXKRCISKS OF rHK SIXOND DAN'. 225
of those present under the shade of the trees on the academy
Ljrounds. At two o'clock on the afternocMi of the first day, the
large concourse assembled, led by Lay's silver cornet band from
the Cattaraugus reservation, proceeded to the place prepared
for the exercises.
After a prayer by the Rev. I. George, of l^'redonia, the Presi-
of the Day, Hon. C. C Severance, congratulated the citizens
and the institution on the great number which had responded
to the call. In behalf of the citizens he then welcomed these
students home again to the institution " in wliose classic halls
they had received instruction." Several letters had been
received from those who, though, imited, were unable to be
present, which were now read by \V. H. Ticknor, Esq.
Two beautiful poems were received from Mrs. James Sweet,
of Nebraska City, and Mrs. Clark M. Carr, of Galesburg, 111.,
and were read by Miss Sule M. Holland.
The Speakers for the afternoon were Samuel Lake, Esq.,
Erasmus Briggs, who gave a brief outline history of the Acad-
emy, and David H. Cochran, President of the Collegiate and
Polytechnic Listitute, Brooklyn, N. Y. At the conclusion of
Dr. Cochran's address, the great throng, headed by the band,
proceeded to the park. Here they partook of a bountiful sup-
per prepared and served up by the ladies of the Town of Concord.
Wednesday evening the speakers were \V. G. Ransom, of
Springville, Ex-Judge Stephen Lockwood, of Buffalo; Judge
Haight, of Buffalo, Professor (i. W . Flllis. of Spring\ille, and
Dr. Van Pelt, of Williamsville. ■
On Thursday afternoon at I o'clock a procession of students
was formed in the park and divided into sections of fi\-e }'ears,
each section bearing a banner on which was inscribed the date
of their student life in the Academy. Headed b\- the band,
they marched down Franklin street to Main, and up Main to
Academy street, and bringing up at last in front of their hon-
ored Alma Mater.
Thursday afternoon the speakers were: Judge A. D. .Scott,
of Flllicottville ; Rev. L George, of Fredonia; Charles H. Reed,
Esq., of Chicago; Samuel Lake, Esq., Alonzo Tanner, Esq., of
Buffalo; Col. Clark E. Carr, of Galesburg, 111.; Colonel Cook,
of Havana, N. Y., and Cyrus Rice. Esq., of Sardinia.
?26
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SFRINGVILLE ACADEMY
The speakers Thursday evening \\'ere Rev. A. F. Colburn,
Hon. Dolphin, Stephenson, of Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y.; T.
S. Bunting, Esq., of Hamburg; select reading by Miss KateW.
Bensley, of Chicago ; (ieorge W. Spaulding, Esq., of Concord,
and Hosea Heath, Esq., of Hamburg, who was the last speaker.
A vote of thanks was then tendered to Mr. Briggs, who ear-
nestly labored to make the celebration a success, and also to
Mr. Tabor, who faithfully performed the duties of the office of
Secretary. All these united in singing '^Old Hundred " and
" Auld Lang Syne," after which Rev. A. F. Colburn pronounced
the benediction.
Thus concluded, to the entire satisfaction of students, citi-
zens and visitors, the greatest and b}' far the best celebration
Springville has ever witnessed.
The weather being warm and pleasant, the academ\' grounds
were lit up by a large number of Chinese lanterns, and the
exercises in the e\'ening, as well as in the da}' time, were held
there.
During the exercises the audience was entertained from time
to time with excellent vocal music furnished by a select choir
composed of the following persons: R. E. Hufstader and
daughter, W. W. Blakely, S. Fl. Spaulding
Miss Lucy Sherman, Mrs. Bordon, Mrs. H.
D. Jones.
A list of the names of those who attended the l^lftieth Anni-
versary of the Springville Academy placed under their Princi-
pals, and their present residences given. When the State is
not e"iven New York is to be understood :
Mrs. A. H. Pierce,
G. Leland, Mrs. A.
BARNEY.
Jacob White, Yorkshire Center.
Richard C. Johnson, Sardinia.
Charles Sherman, Springville.
Amos Dow, East Randolph.
John C. Jackson, Ashford.
Charles Arnold. Arcade.
Theodore H. Porter, Springville.
George Marsh, Sardinia.
Mary A. Sampson Bingham, Elkador, Iowa.
Anna Moulton Chafee, Springville.
Julia Rhodes Lincoln, Springville.
Emily Rhodes Britton, East Concord.
Mary Whitney Sherman, Springville.
Elmina Whitcomb Draper, Toledo, O.
HAKNEV AND TARSONS.
Dr. William Van Pelt, Williamsville.
Caleb Calkins, Peterboro.
Hon. Dolphin Stephenson, Phelps.
Samuel M Abbott, M. D., East Hamburg.
Col. Chauncey H. Abbott, East Hamburg.
John Churchill, Springville.
George Williams, Yorkshire.
Laban A. Needham, Concord.
Orson Cochran, Otto.
Peregrine G. Eaton, Springville.
Wil iam Ives, Buffalo.
Mrs. Altczeria Arnold Clark, Ashford.
PARSONS.
Cyrus Rice, Sardinia.
James Otis, Sardinia.
Calvin D. Melven, Cadiz.
Henry T. Wadsvvorth, Springville.
Samuel W. Pratt, North Collins.
FIKTlKril AXMVKRSARN Sl'Rl N( A I I.l.K ACADKMV. 22/
Eugene (Graves, Franklinville.
S. K. S. II. Nott, M. IX, Hambur^r.
Henry Simons, Sardinia.
Oliver P. Buffum, ("olden.
David C . Kingslcy, Sprinsjvillc.
Charles M . Wilder, Chicago, III.
Eunice Salisbury Notl, Hamburff.
Eliza Chafee Cole, East Hamburg.
Lydia Sherman McMillan, Springville.
Sarah L. Wilder, Van X'alkenburg, Hough-
ton Creek.
I'.AKSO.NS ANIl \VILLI.i\MS.
Salmon L. Johnson, Cattaraugus.
Charles Beebe, Sandusky.
Delia A. Sprague Prindle, Fredonia.
Minerva A. Miner Mayo, Springville.
l'.\RSONS, \VU.LI.\MS AND HIESTIS.
David C. Bloom field, Sherman, Chautauqua
county.
I'.ARSONS, HIKSTIS AND HAI.L.
Mary Bailey Weast, Waukegan, III.
EDWIX E. WILLIAMS.
Hubbard T. White, Jamestown.
I'Vancis AVhite, Springville.
Isaac Wilcox, Xorth Collins.
S. H. Nott, Holland.
Jeremiah F. Jackman, Marilla.
Rev. Isaac (reorge, Fredonia.
A. Judson W'iltse, Yorkshire Center.
Alon/.o Tanner, Buffalo.
V. R. Carey, Uoston.
Erasmus Briggs, Springville.
Aurelia Cary Davis, Boston.
Louise Jones Wadsworth, Springville
Maria Rice Finder, Lima, Livingston Co.
Sarah G. Bond George, Portersville, Cal.
Emily S. Clark Frost, North Evans.
Aurora A. Nelson Kingman, Springville.
WILLL-ViMS AND HIESTIS.
Almon Nichols, Morton's Corners.
WILLIAMS, HUESTIS, HALL AND MOSHER.
David H. Cochran, Ph. D., LL. D., Brooklyn.
Martin Wiltse, Yorkshire.
WILLIAMS, HALL A.\D HARI.E.
David S. Ingalls, Buffalo.
HlESllS.
Josiah Emery, .\urora.
F. Kidder Davis, Y^orkshire.
Hon. Arunah Ward, Ellicottvillc.
HIESTIS AND HALL.
Heman Andrews, Springville.
HUE.sriS, HALL, MOSHER AND EARLE.
W. G. Ransom, Springville.
HUESTIS, HALL AND EARLE.
J. Andrew Studley, East Ashford.
HUESTIS AND E.\RLE.
Julia A. French Andrews, Springville.
E. (.. HALL.
Sarah K. Brockway Earle, South Wales.
HAIL, MOSHEK, EARLE AND LANE.
Ivlizabcth J. Melvin Rogers, Holland City,
Mich.
HALL AND EAKLE.
Emily J. Lewis Whittemore, Marshtield.
MOSIIER, EAKLE .\ND LANE.
Phebe W. Starkweather Eaton, Springville.
HALL, EAKLE, LANE, SPKOl T AND AIMOCK.
Sylvia P. Joslin, Springville.
J. \\ . K.\KLE.
William H. Churchill, Maywood, 111.
Edward W. Stanclift, North Collins.
Clark C. Sibley, East Concord.
Philander II. Parker, Arcade.
Henry M. Blackmar, Springville.
Miss Mary Davidson, Buffalo.
Esther Cornwell House, Spi-ingville.
Harriet A. Pierce Low, Springville.
Gertrude E. Van Volkenburg Summer.
Springville.
Louise S. Marsh George, Yorkshire.
E.^KLE .\ND LANE.
Hon. Allen D. Scott, Ellicottville.
Heman W. Rugg, Olean.
Col. Clark E. Carr, Galesburg, 111.
Hon. Charles Harvey Reed, Chicago.
Seth A. Abbott, Abbott's Corners.
Frederick Eaton, Olean.
Rev. Alanson M. Richardson, Cowlesville.
Augusta I. Chafee Clark, Utica.
App. P. Scott, Allison, Otto.
Rosina S. Blake Rowley, Springville.
Helen A. Pierce Kellogg, East Pike.
EARLE, LANE .\ND CUTLER.
Maria Davidson Frye, Collins Center.
EARLE, LANE, CUTLER .^ND SI'ROUT.
Ann H. Peirce, Springville.
Laurette N. Lake Taber, Springville.
EAKI.K, LANK, Cl^TI.KR, SI'ROU T AND AUMOCK.
George P. Kellogg, East Pike.
MOSES LANE.
AbraT< Bartholomew, Buffalo.
Erastus L. Harris, Collins Center.
Daniel Spaulding, Concord.
Richard Frank Powers, Hamburg.
Heniy H. Wibirt, New York City.
Samuel E. Mritton, Lewiston.
Hosea S. Heath, Esq., Hamburg.
William S. Newton, Hamburg.
.Mary J. Beach Chase, Boston.
Mary Ann McLin Barnett, Buffalo.
Caroline A. Rice Schutt, Sardinia.
Phoebe J. Deuel Newton, Hamburg.
Mary Miner Brooks, Olean.
Marion Dutton Chilcott, Ea.st Hamburg.
.Amelia Huntley Lewis, Glenwood.
Susan O. Fowler Chandler. Springville.
228 FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY SPRINC.VILLE ACADEMY.
Maryette Adams Mason, Marilla.
Ann Lincoln, Springville.
Edna J. Beebe, Arcade.
Melinda L. Newton, Holman, Hamburg.
Sophia S. Newton Eaton, Springville.
l..\NE, Cl'TLER AND SF'ROUT.
Asa R. Taber, Springville.
L.\N'E, CUTLER AND .\L'MOCK.
Rev. John Corydon Steele, Attica.
Russel J. Vaughan, Springville.
I.ANE AND AUMOCK.
"Byron A. Churchill, West Falls.
Susan A. Smith Backus, North East, Pa.
I.ANE AND COPELAND.
Lydia A. Post Powers, Abbot's Corners.
EDEN SI'KOUT.
Alexander Hale, North Collins.
SPROl'T AND AUMOCK.
Loren D. Smith, Sardinia.
Benjamin S. Godard, Philadelphia, Pa.
Charles E. Boisford, Springville.
Laban W. Smith, Springville.
Sara Vail Kerr, CoUius Center.
SPROUT, AUMOCK AND COI'ELAND.
Theodoie B. Norris, Springville.
Adeline L. Scobey Warner, Springville.
W. S. .\UMOCK.
Frank M. Stryker, Castile, Wyoming county .
Seward Sears, Sardinia.
Bryant J Davis, East Concord.
Lucinda Reynolds Hopkins, Sardinia,
Mary L. Johnson Crosby, Sardinia
David D. Smith, Yorkshire.
Garrett W. Stryker, Castile
John C. Bump, Buffalo.
Charles M. Newton, Hamburg'.
Harrison L. Newton, Hamburg.
Clark C. Dart, Hamburg.
Bishop Cantield, Vandalia, Cattaraugus coun-
ty-
Albert Fuller, Ashford, Springville P. O.
Marion Lincoln, Springville.
Morris C. Freeman, Springville.
Se.xtus E. Smith, Union Mills, Indiana.
Joseph B. Stryker, Strykersville.
Frank A. Howell, Yorkshire Center.
Hon. Albert Haight, Buffalo.
Martin E. Williams, Bradford, Pa.
Cornelius Ostrander, Springville.
Ray H. Canfield, Concord.
S. N. Blakely, Glen wood.
Marshall D. Scobey, Sandusky.
Walter W. Blakeley, Springville.
Ellen Jewett Godard, Philadelphia, Pa.
Louise Graves Bersee, Millington, Tuscola
county, Mich.
Alice M. Post Payne, Titusville, Pa.
Elizabeth L. Mayo Foster, Collins Center.
Alice Wells Vanatta, Springville.
Betsey Squires Vedder, Ellicottville.
Mary Jane Reed Stryker, Strykersville.
Emma P. Hall Crane, New Canaan, Conn.
Louise Williams Kenyon, West Falls.
Alice D. Marsh Emerson, Springville.
Ella Goodemote Greene, Springville.
Mary Bensley Price, Chicago, Illinois.
Eliza Hammond Hall, Bennington.
M. Louise Dayton CHUman, West Vorkshire.^^^.^ ^^ ^^.^^ ^j^,^.^^^^ Springville
Altheria Squires Treat, East Concord
Mary Curtis Churchill, Springville.
Eliza McLin, Springville.
Addie Greene Park, Fredonia.
Mary A. Pingrey Smith, Springville.
Mercy L. Newton, Hamburg.
AUMOCK AND COPEl.ANP.
Henry F. Norris, Pike, Wyoming county
William H. Warner, Springville.
Chester E. Norris, Rushford.
Chester C. Pingrey, Yorkshire Center.
Fanny M. Sherman, Springville.
Diana King, Springville
Mercy Canueld. Colden.
Eupheme E. Ayars Freeman, Springville.
Ann Johnson Ellis, Sardinia.
Ermina Colwell YanSlyke, Dunlap, Iowa.
Adella Thomas Scobey, Sandusky.
COPEl.AND, POMEROV, ROGERS AND WK.HTMAN
Asa L. Twichell, Springville.
COI'ELAND, POMEROV, MCINTVRE AND ROGERS.
Lucy Twichell Bensley, Springville.
PELAND AND MCINTVRE.
Harlan P. Spaulding, Springville.
DelosD. Crocker, North Branch Station, Minn. ^^^^^^ ^^ Hoiman.VnngviVle.
Maria L. Bowen, Yorkshire.
Carrie Squires Smith, Union Mills, Ind.
Addie McMillan McMaster, Springville.
Elvira Beebe Whitney, East Ashford.
DAVID COPELAND.
Millard S. Avery, North Collins.
Jonathan H. Smith, Clarksburg.
Chester C. McClure. Jr., Buffalo.
Daniel R. Newton, Bradford, Pa.
Addison M. Smith, Arcade.
Frank A. Smith, .Arcade.
COPEl.AND, MCINTVRE AM) ROGERS.
Rev. A. F. Colburn, Springville.
COPE1..AN1) AND KOCiERS.
Emmons D. Tefft, East Otto.
Daniel R. Newton, Hamburg.
C. R. POMEKOV.
Wm. H. Sherman, East Ashford.
Ellen A. Tefft Dunbar, East Otto.
pomerov, mcintvre, rogeks, wight.man and
o'hkien.
Charles Willis House, Holland
KII' riF.ril AX\IVKKS.\I<\ STRINGVILLE ACADKMV. 229
MCIN1 VKK.
Libbic Hammond, East Otto.
Mt IN'I'NKE AND KIH'.KKS.
Klmer O. Leland, Springville.
J. Waldo Norton, Springvillc,
Addison G. Mattlievvson, Springvillc.
Philura L. Clark Bartholomew, Springvillo.
Sarah A. Sibley Baker, East Concord.
MCINTVRE, KOGEKS AND WIOHTMAN.
Alfred A. Churchill, Springville.
.MCINTVRE, KOGEKS, \VK;HT.M^N AND o'llKlKN.
Charles H. Albro, Springville.
' \V. H. KDCEKS.
Seymour Rider, Sardinia.
H. A. Wightman, Eden Center.
. Herman VV'ightman, Clarksburg.
S. Clark Munger, Gowanda.
Charles C. Jewett, Spr.ngville.
Warren Worden, Yorkshire Center.
Charles E. Allen, Gowanda.
Elgin B. Cary Boston, Erie Co.
Owen L. Moss, Collins.
Clara Nichols Millington, Winfield, Kansas.
Helen Nichols Hatch, Morton's Corners.
Ella Chandler Shaffner, East Ashford.
Ida M. Rice Olmsted, Yorkshire
Ida Wilson Severance, Springville.
Horlense Lafferty Greene, Springville.
Libbie Churchill Clark, Morton's Corners.
Ella Brown, Manwaring, Elton.
Alice Stebbins Spaulding, Otto.
Fanny Norris Norton, Springville.
Hattie Sherman Nichols, Morton's Corners.
Mary J. Velzy, Machias.
Lucy Ide'.ia Burroughs, Collins,
Ilia M. Wright, Springville.
Mattie O. Wilco.x, Portersville, Tulare Co.,
Cal.
Elsie M. Cornwall, South Wales.
Ina Woodbury, Hambuig.
ROGERS AND WKiH IMAN.
Perry B. Co.\, EUicottville.
Oliver Hammond, East Otto.
Javan Clark, Morton's Corners.
Jay Drake, Springville.
Augusta Potter Leland, Springville.
Laura E. .Morton, Morton's Corners.
Clara F Lord, Sardinia.
Alice Vedder Tefft, Ashford, Springville P, O.
Jennie A. Wilcox Whcelock, Springville.
Walter J. Allen, Springville.
ROGERS, WIGIIT.MAN AND O'UHIE.N.
Emma Bond House, Ashford, Springville P.O.
Kate W. Bensley, Chicago, 111.
Ell A. Churchi.l, Springville.
ROGERS AND o'liRIE.N .
■ Cora C. Stanbro, Springville.
Mary A. Van Valkenburg, Springville.
Byron S. Tefft, East Otto,
John V. Cole, Springville,
R(k;EKS, WIGHIMAN, o'liKIEN AND KDDV.
James F. X'aughan, Ashford, Springville P. O.
Leonard H. Utley, East Otto.
Willis L. Wecden, Springvilie.
Charles D. Bigelow, Gowanda.
Frank E. Lowe. Springville.
ROGERS, o'ilKlEN AND KDD\ ,
Edwin A. Scott, Hamburg.
ROGERS AND ICDDN .
Man' L. Murray, Glenwood.
Lucy C. Sherman, Springville.
ROGERS, EDDY AND ELLIS.
.Abbey C. Norris, Springville.
ROGERS, WIGHTMAN, o'bKIEN, EDDY AND ELLIS.
Clarence O. Clark, Springville.
A. K. WIGHT.MAN.
Clark E. Churchill, Arcade.
Charles A. Twichell, Springville.
Delavan B Reed, Sardinia.
Franklin Hovvland, Machias.
Ida A. Cutting Hakes, Springville.
Luella Bond Smith, Ashford, Springville 1', O .
Sella Wightman,
\vk;ht.man and o'ukikn.
Karlc R. Vaughan, Lancaster.
WKiHT.-MAN, f)'BK'IEN AND EDDV.
Rhinda M. Churchill, West Falls.
J. \Y. o'liKIEN.
Herbert M. Horton, .•\rcade.
Frank E. Oyer, Springville.
Ida I. Pike, Boston.
Clara Goodemote, Springville.
Emily Holland Cole, East Ashford.
Jennie Rosier House, Holland.
Emma Reynolds Lincoln. East Otto.
o'hkie.n .\nd edd\ .
Ward B. Wiitsie, Yorkshire.
Ernest F. Kruse, Springville.
George E. Reynolds, Collins Center.
Edward M. Shaffner, East Ashford.
W. C. Kruse, Ashford.
George A. Pierce, Springville.
Herbert D. Cole, East Ashford.
Mary E. Holt, Glenwood._
Jennie V. Pool Bigelow, Gowanda,
Chloe R. Bates Pepperdine, Cattaraugus.
Sarah L. Eaton Allen, Springville.
o'nUIEN, EDDY ASD ELLIS.
A. Ulenna Hess, Elk City, Pa.
Myrtie G. Wells, Springville.
Anna F. Tanner, Springville.
Mary H. Bradley, Springville.
Elizabeth H. Shuttleworth, Springville,
Ralph W. Lowe, Springville.
Mary H. Lowe, Springville.
Florence A. Harrison, East Otto.
;30
TEACHERS INSTITUTES.
>;. W. EDUY.
Fred, A . Parmenter, Buffalo.
Elmer C. Sherman, Springville.
Paul Canfield, Boston.
Milton M. Trivett, Woodward's Hollow.
Miriam I. Craig, Colden.
Eva E. Multer, Ashford.
Mary Ticknor, Gowanda.
Lillie V. Cole Demmon, Ashford.
EDDY AND ELLIS.
S. G. Wightman, Clarksburg.
Sewell A. Brooks, Colden
Mark N. Brooks, Colden.
Carroll G. Morton, Morton's Corners.
Wendell J. Morton, Morton's Corners.
John J. k\'hittemore, Buffalo.
Elbert R. Sherman, Dansville, Liv. County.
Walter A. Clark, Springville.
Ella E. Bufifam, Colden.
Sarah M. Titus, Sardinia.
Mary L. Kellogg, Springville.
William A. Staffin, Collins Center.
Thomas A. Fay, Springville.
Albert L. Harrison, East Otto.
CiEuKGE \V. ELLIS.
Lucius I. Clark, Springville.
George A. Persons, East Aurora.
Luther D. Cary, Boston.
Edward D. Wightman, Clarksburg.
James Ellis, East .Aurora.
Henry T. Frank, .\shford.
William J. Bigelow, Ashford.
John W. Pratt, Collins Center.
Frank S. Larabee, Springville.
Lottie L. White, Springville.
Ida A. Beverly, Collins Center.
Estelle Earle, South Wales.
Lillie O. Smith, Springville.
Cora B. Backus, North East, Pa.
Lizzie Murphy, West Valley.
Mary Wells, Springville.
L. Lulu Hadley, Ypsilanti, Mich.
Matie B. Churchill, Springville,
Nancy M. Cary, Boston.
Mabel A. McDuffee, Springville.
Alice M. Eaton, Springville.
Louise E. Wadsvvorth, Springville.
Clara J. Pingrey, Springville.
Carrie H. McEuen, Springville.
Metiie H. Harrison, East Otto.
Some of the person.-, that were known to have attended the
Re-union, and failed to reg^ister their names:
Hosmer L. Agard, Willink.
Thomas L Bunting, Hamburg.
Charles B. Cochran, Rochester.
Arnold J. Emerson, Sardinia.
Norman A. Freeman, Glenwood.
Sidney D. Kingsley, Sardinia.
George L. Dayton, Buffalo.
Judge Stephen Lockwood, Buffalo.
David S. Reynolds, Buffalo.
Anson A. Stone, Sinclairville.
Almon W. Stanbro, Buffalo.
Frank Smith, Eden Center.
J. B. Vanduzee, Buffalo.
L. G. Ray Whiting, Boston.
Girvease A. Matteson, East Otto.
Carrie W. Andrews Bailey, Collins Center.
Olivia Ballou Reynolds, Buffalo.
Estella Batty Freeman. Glenwood,
Ella M. Crandall DePuy, Sea Cliff, L. I.
Mary E. Davis Briggs, Yorkshire.
Philena L. Ferrin Weber, Salamanca.
Maria L. Howell Bowen, Yorkshire.
Persis Harrison Potter, Buffalo,
Frank M. Mills Greene, Fredonia.
Betsy M. Newton Bunting, Hamburg.
Eunice J. Pratt Rogers, North Collins.
Emma S. Wiltse Brand, Yorkshire.
Mary Horton Sweet, Humphrey.
Charlotte McMillan, Gowanda.
Ella Holman Long, Hamburg.
Lora C. Albro McClure, Buffalo.
Luana L. Norris Kingsley, Sardinia.
Ella M. Vedder Crowell, Hamlet.
Rhoda A. Wheeler Norris, Pike.
Jennie C. Baldwin Collins, Colden.
Jennie Dygert Drake, Pike.
Mary Stowell Scott, Hamburg.
Sophia A. Bigelow, Chicago, 111.
Adella Brooks, Colden.
Grace Brooks, Colden.
Clara L. Wheeler, Pike.
Anna Nichols, Colden.
TEACHERS INSTITUTES.
The first Erie County Teachers' Institute was held in W'ill-
iamsville in 1844, second at Aurora in 1845. third at Springville
in 1846. fourth at Lancaster in 1847, fifth at Aurora in 1848,
sixth at Springxillc in 1 S49. These Institutes were largel}' at-
CATALOOUK OF MALE MKMIJKRS.
!3'
tended b\' teachers from all parts of the count}-. The)- con-
tinued two weeks each, and were held for a number of years.
The foUowint^ is a list of the officers, instructors, lecturers and
members of the Institute lield at Sprinj^ville in 1849 • Flrasmus
Hrii;gs, of C(^ncord, President ; Samuel C. Adams, of Collins.
\'ice-President ; Louis \V. (iraves. of Aurora, Secretary.
IxsTRUCTORS — J.H. Karle, Principal of Springville Acade-
ni\-; J. H. Earle. Teacher of Mathematics; Miss Mary J.
Hartoo, Daniel Jones, of Aurora; Miss Cordelia Warner, of
S[)rint^\-ille, M. A. \\'liitne\-, of Aurora, and S. \\\ Craves of
Aurora.
Lecturers — Rev. L George, S. W. Graves, Rev. Milo
Scott, of Aurora, S. Sedwick, of Arcade, Samuel G. Love, of
Gowanda, Rev. H. I{,dd}\ of Springville, E. S. Eddy, of
Williamsville.
CATALOGUE OF MALE MEMBERS.
NAME AND RESmKNCK.
G. W. Andrews, Otto.
Jonathan Briggs, Concord.
Erasmus Briggs, Concord.
A. C. Buffmum, Colden.
E. M. Baily, Ash ford.
L. H. Bugbee, Persia.
Andrew J. Brooks, Boston.
Wm. C. Baily, Holland.
John R. Bensley, Concord.
.\lfred R. Bowen, Sardinia.
A. L. l^radley, Otto.
Romanzo Bunn, Mansfield.
P. S. Baker, Hamburg.
J. F. Brown, Aurora.
I iiram Clark, Collins.
.\lban Clark, Collins.
Lyman Clark, Collins.
Pones Cole, Aurora.
H.M.Carr, Concord.
C. E. Carr, Concord.
B. O. Carr, Concord.
Miles Chafee, Concord.
NAME AND RESIDENCE.
J. B. Colegrove, Sardinia.
Wm. W. Chilcott, Hamburg.
A. T. Cole, Ashford.
E. M.Clark, Eden.
Charles Clark, Aurora.
Elias Borland, Hamburg.
T. C. Estee, Hamburg.
J. H. Earle, Concord,
E. N. Ely, Cheektouaga.
Jesse Frye, Concord.
Wm. M. Field, Concord,
(leorge Kellogg, Concord.
S. B. Littlefield, Hamburg.
Nathaniel Lockwood, Boston.
Charles McCoy, Ellicottville.
J. McAvoy, Collins.
Sidney McBride, Persia.
James Moore, Aurora.
Lucius McBride, Persia.
Owen P. Marsh, Yorkshire.
L. H. Morris, Aurora.
John H. McAvoy, Collins.
2^,2
CATALOGUE OF FEMALE MEMBERS.
Joseph S. O'Brien, Collins.
George Oswold, Otto.
A. E. Packard, Concord.
George Perkins, Concord.
Franklin Pike, Concord.
Asa Potter, Sheldon.
J. W. Porter, Sardinia.
Byron Pratt, Aurora.
Charles M. Plumb, Collins.
Abijah Perkins, Aurora.
L. W. Race, Evans.
H. A. Race, Evans.
Alan A. Richardson, Concord.
W. G. Ranson, Concord.
Joseph A. Rathbun, Persia.
Geo. W. Woodward, Concord.
D. M. Richardson, Concord.
H. W. Rugg, Concord.
J. T. Sykes, Sheldon.
C. C. Stanbro, Concord.
E. D. Stevens, Hamburg.
A. D. Scott, Springville.
Joseph Griffin, Collins.
L. W. Graves, Aurora.
Franklin Hodge, Buffalo.
Charles Howe, Persia.
Luke G. Harmon, PLllicottville.
I). H. Hopkins, Concord.
S. C. Horton, Boston.
David Hershey, Amherst.
Moses Ham, Amherst.
Daniel Harris, Aurora.
J. S. Hawley, Brant.
M. N. Jones, Boston.
D. G. Jones, Aurora.
A. H. Jones, Aurora.
L. A. Kennicut, New Albion.
E. R. Kingsley, Sardinia.
S. D. Kingsley, Sardinia.
Charles Scisler, Aurora.
J. H. Shearer, Aurora.
Geo. W. Sweet, Colden.
Ambrose Southworth, Boston.
E. A. Stebbins, Otto.
C. C. Sibley, Concord.
E. C. Sanders, Ashford.
Ferdinand Taylor, Collins.
Loomis J. Williams, Hamburg.
Darwin Wilcox, Sardinia.
P. F. Warner, Java.
Horatio Whittemore, Collins.
L. D. Weeden, Springville.
M. A. Whitney, Aurora.
Wm. W. Wilson, Concord.
James Wilkes, Sardinia.
O. Wilcox, Sardinia.
CATAL()(;UE OF FEMALE MEMBERS.
NAME AND RESIDENCE.
Laura A. Algur, Concord.
Demis Allen, Collins.
Malinda Arnold, Collins.
Sarah A. Baker, Hamburg.
Ann E. Bloomfield, Concord.
Almira Britton, Boston.
Jane A. Briggs, Concord.
Rosina S. Blake, Concord.
NAME AND RESIDENCE.
E. P. Bartoo, Hamburg.
Eveline C. Bois, Aurora.
Ann Eliza Bois, Aurora.
Mary J. Bartoo, Hamburg.
Mary J. Baker, Hamburg.
Selphina Bowen, Sardinia.
Lucinda J. Bement, Concord.
Roxaiia R. Bement, Concord.
CATAL()(;uE OF i-i;mai.k MKMI'.KRS.
233
Vcstina BlmisIc)', Concord.
Amelia A. Hlakc, Concord.
Maryettc Curran. Concord.
Julia Ann Carey, Concord.
Mar\' Crawford, Concord.
Clara Clark, Ashford.
Esther Cornwell, Sardinia.
Amanda Canfield, Concord.
Annetta Clark, Aurora.
Adaline E. Button, Concord.
Hanna E. Dustin, Holland.
Mary E. Davidson, Holland,
-Sarah A. Button, Holland.
Phebe H. Borland, Hamburi;-.
Mary C. Estee, Eden.
Margaret Flemins^. Concord.
W. A. Fairbanks, Ashford.
Sophia A. Gardner, Concord.
Eudora Griffith, Concord.
Laura G. Grannis, Wales.
Amelia C. Grannis, Wales.
Martha Georj^e, Concord.
Carolina M. Griffith, Concord.
Adaline B. Gibbs. Otto.
Pamelia Guild, Ashford.
Calista Godard, Concord.
Lucinda Griswold, Concord.
Ellen J. Hyde, Concord.
Maria A. Ho\\e, Rice.
Maria Howe, Rice.
Mary E. Hicko.x, Hamburi^.
Elizabeth Holland, Concord.
Amelia Huntly, Concord.
Ann Ingalls, Concord.
S\'lvia Joslyn, Concortl.
Electa M. Jennings, Collins.
Mary E. Jenmngs, Collins.
Martha P. Johnson, Collins.
Mar\- E. jolmson, Collins.
H. A. Johnson, Otto.
Louisa A. Kennedy, Concord.
Prudence Kellogg, Concord.
Louisa Kellogg, Concord.
Eniil)' J. Lewis, Collins.
Sarah B. Mclvin, Concord.
P(^lly Merwin, Concord.
Helen Minor, Concord.
Luc)' A. Newton, \'orkshire.
Sarah Ann Newton, Sardinia.
Harriett A. Newell, Sardinia.
Lucy M. Nichols, Concord,
Harriet A. Peirce, Ashford.
Betsey Peirce, Concord.
Helen A. Peirce, Concord,
Ann H. Pierce, Ashford.
Julia M. Post, Concord.
Marian T. Perry, Aurora.
Jerusha Pratt, Collins.
Esther Pratt, Collins.
Gratia I'armenter, Yorkshire.
Lucinda W. Rundell, Alden.
Elizabeth W. Rundel, Alden.
Clara Richmond, Collins.
Mehala Rider, Sardinia.
Alice Sanderson, Portville.
Lurinda Southworth. Boston.
Martha Stewart.
Phebe Starkweather, Concord.
Olive Sleeper, Holland.
Harriet M. Taylor, Alden.
Ann R. Tuthill, Otto.
Cornelia Ta)-lor, Alden,
Sarah J. Vaughan, Concord.
Harriet N. Wellman, Napoli.
Cordelia Warner, Strykersville.
Jane A. Wolcott, Concord.
M. M. S. Watkins, Concord.
Helen M. White. Hamburo.
234 I^IST OF TEACHERS IN CONCORD.
Mary Wood, Concord. C. M. Willett, Hamburg.
Almira Woodruff, Aurora. Phebe Wood, Concord.
Male teachers 191
Female teachers 93
Total 284
LIST OF TEACHERS WHO TAUGHT SCHOOL IN CONCORD, N.
v., DURINC; THE YEARS 1 844, '45, '46 AND '47 — 112 IN
NUMBER.
Jonathan Brings, Orville S. Canfield, S. L. Cary, Laura D.
Abbott, Milton House, Daniel Noteman, A. G. S. McMillain,
J. B. Sweet, John F. Morse, J. A. O. South, Nancy H. Salis-
bury, David Cochran, Philip Thurbur, Lysander Needham, E.
E. Williams, A. F. Hubbard, W. H. Freeman, B. F. Blake,
Mary Potter, Rosina Blake, Minerva Slosson, Maria Graves,
Lucy Hall, Margaret M. Watkins, Caroline Miner, Juliette
Sibley, Sarah E. Fisher, Desire Little, Mary Needham, Lua E.
Smith, Lucy Blake, Amanda Canfield, Lucretia Murry, Julia
M. Post, Miles Chafee, Apalonia Douglass, Calista Godard,
Roxana Bement, E. P. Kennady, D. M. Richardson, W. W.
P>ench, W. G. Ransom, Mr. Dunham, Daniel Wilson, Martin
Wiltse, Benjamin F". Rice, Mary Wood, Eudora Griffith, Charles
Treat, Mercy Canfield, Melissa Duttdn, J. G. Blake, Lyman
Packard, Russell P"rench, Margery J. Churchill, William A.
Sibley, Jacob Widrig, Suel Briggs, Orrin Baker, William R.
Philips, Mary E. Shaw, Enos Olden. Gilbert C. Sweet, William
Hudson, Cyrus Griswold, B. F. Cary, E. Briggs, A. C. Adams,
Sally Sampson, A. T. Cole, G. W. Richardson, Elizabeth Bloom-
field, Julia A. P'rench, Alpha C. King, Cornelia Holt, Bets)-
Pierce, Miner\'a L. Griswold, Hannah Agard, Hannah G. Parks,
Nancy Nichols, Luc}' E. Maklem, Hannah Parsell. Hester Ann
Martin, Julia E. Martin, Louisa White, Esther Pratt, Almond
Nichols, Lucinda J. Bement, Jerome E. Stac)', E. H. Drake,
Charles Needham, WMlliam H. Watkins, A. Parsell, P. H. War-
ner, Elizabeth Melvin, Mary L. Field, Maryette Curron, Helen
Minor, .Aurora Nelson, Irene Weber, Herma A. Johnson, Miss
Southworth, Mr. Spring, Ahira Loxelace. Miss Stiles, Helen
rilK roWNSENI) HILL SCIIOOI.. 235
Hlods2jct, Jemima Treat, Miss Knaj), Atlaliiie Chafee, Miss
Richardson, Miss Rice, Miss Stewart, Miss Hail}', Kuiiicc
Maklem.
AliOU'l' rilK lOWNSKM) nil. I, SCIIOOI..
A school-house was l)uilt on Townsent! Hill in the earl\- part
of 1S15 and a school taught therein that summer. It was a
framed house and locateci on land now owned b)' B. I*". Williams,
on the south side of the (ienesee Road, about ten rods west
of the transit road. The names of the teachers who taus^ht in
this school in early times were :
1815 — Summer, Waiter Eaton ; Winter, Sally Spaulding-.
1816 — Summer, Mar}- Torrey ; Winter, Benjamin Vi\y.
1817 — Summer, Abbie Cunningham; W^inter, Benjamin F"ay.
1818 — Summer, Rebecca Sawyer; Winter, Amaziah Ashman.
1819 — Summer, Lucy Chapin ; Winter, Enoch Sinclair.
1820 — Summer, Mar\' Chapin ; Winter, William Owen.
1821 — Summer, Patience Bowen ; Winter, Enoch Sinclair.
1822 — Summer, Olive Fuller; Winter, William Owen.
1823— Summer, Caroline Owen ; Winter, John Brooks.
1824 — Summer, Eliza Ayers ; Winter, Elam Booth.
1825 — Summer, Delia Torrey ; Winter, Elam Booth.
1826 — Summer, Lucinda Fry: Winter, Ezra Chaffee, Amaziah
Ashman.
1827 — Summer, Minerva Cochrane ; Winter, Clark M. Carr.
1828 — Summer, PolK' .Spaulding; Winter, Lucinda Fa}-.
1829 — Winter, Oliver Canfield.
1830 — Winter, Oliver Canfield.
1 83 I — Winter, Asa Philips.
1832 — Winter, Asa Philips.
1833— Winter, Asa IMiilips.
1834 — Winter, A.sa Philips.
1835 — Winter, Nelson Hopkins.
1836 — Winter, Nelson Hopkins.
LIST OF I'F.RSO.XS WHO HAVE .MET AX ACCH)ENTA1, DEATH BY
i)Ko\v.\i.\(; OR oiHKRWisr: ix the rowx of concord.
A man b}- the name of Re}-nolds was drowned in the " Big-
Bend," in the Cattaraugus creek — just below the P'r}-e crossing,
in 1839.
236 ACCIDENTAL DKATHS IN TOWN OF C<.)NCORD.
An KiiL^lishman b\' the name of Dunkerh' was drowned in
the Cattaraugus, near the Shultus bridge, about 1852.
A young man was drowned in the Bloomfield mill-pond, in
Springville, in June, 1870; he was a Prussian, name unknown.
About 1848, two small children, one a boy named Rinhart,
and the other a little daughter of Stowel Collins, were drowned
while playing together by the race in Springville, near Frank
lin street. The same year, a boy named Edmonds was drowneci
in Auger's pond in Springville.
A boy named Melancton W'oodham was dro\\ned in Cook's
pond.
In Jul}', 1864, George Severance, a son of Hon. C. C. Sever-
ance, fourteen years of age, was drowned in the Cattaraugus,
midway between the Cook and Shultus bridges.
William Mimmick was also drowned near the Cook bridge.
Levant Stanbro was drowned in the Griffith pond, near East
Concord, in 1879.
About 1880, Theodore Pilger, a young man \\ as drowned in
the Cattaraugus near the Cook bridge.
Jonathan Mayo, Jr., was killed in 1825, \\hile chopi)ing with
his father. A falling tree slewed around as it struck, and
knocking him lifeless to the ground.
In 1832, Jacob McLen, a \-oung man, was killed b}- a falling
tree on Lot 20, Range 7, Township 7.
About 1873, '^ >'oung man named Cyrenus F"uller wa^- killed
\\'hile felling trees on the farm of John F. Morse.
In February, 1869, Arnold Cranston, father of James Crans-
ton, was killed felling trees.
June 22, 1877, Charles Krantz was killed while chopping on
his farm, by a limb falling do\A'n and breaking his skull.
'In 1883, Byron Swain, a resident of S[)ring\ille, was killed
while felling trees in Boston.
In 1852, Henry C. Horton was killed b\- saw logs rolling upon
him at the Janes saw mill, in the north part of the town. He
was 27 years old.
Amasa Loveridge was killed in the same manner, August 7.
1855, at Captain Tyrer's mill in what is now Wheeler Hollow.
He was 67 years of age.
NAMKS OK Slki:AMS I\ COXC-Okl). 21'/
Albert Ostrandcr fell from a scaffold to the barn tloor in his
barn near I^ast Concord, Jan. 8, 1871. and died April 21, 1871.
Samuel Bradley, an early settler and business man of Sprin<^-
ville, fell from the stairs in the Gardner mill in the niijht time,
and received injuries that caused his death soon after.
Cyrus C. Rhodes and Daniel P. Brown, residents of Spring-
ville, were killed by the cars at the Elk street crossing of the
L. S. & M. S. R. R. at Buffalo. June 28, 1856.
Peter Sampson was killed in 1836 by his sleigh slewing"
around on the ice, and sleigh, the load and team going down
the bank from the top of the hill this side of the Shultus
bridge.
Dexter Rlu)tles was killed b}- the bursting of a re\ol\-ing
drum attached to the machiner)- in the Scoby mills about 1878.
Sanford Mayo w;is killed b\' the cars at the Mills crossing
(one mile north of Springville), on the Buffalo E.xtension of the
Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad, Oct. 2, 1883.
namp:s of streams in concord.
The Cattaraugus creek runs along the south bounds of the
town in a southwesterh- direction.
Spring brook rises on Townsend liill and runs southeasterly
and southerly through Springville into the Cattaraugus creek.
The Cazenox'ia creek rises in Sardinia and runs through the
northeast corner of this town.
The east branch of the Righteen-mile creek rises on Town-
send hill and runs northwesterh- through this town, Boston and
Hamburg to the lake.
The west branch of the Eighteen-mile creek rises in the west
part ot the town and runs northwesterh- through Concord,
North Collins and Eden to the lake.
Smith brook rises north of the Genesee road near Mr. Coop-
er's and runs southerly through Wheeler Hollow and Spooner
Hollow to the Cattaraugus creek. This brook was named after
" (iovernor " Smith who settled at its mouth in 1810.
The Darby brook rises near Nichols' Corners and runs south-
erly near Morton's Corners and down to the Cattaraugus creek,
((^ritrin of the name unknown.)
238 THE ERECTION OF A LIBERTY POLE.
The Wells brook rises near the residence of B}'ron Wells and
runs south into the Cattaraugus creek.
There is also a pond of water near East Concord which has
been commonly called Griffith's Pond.
THE FIRS'l" LIISERTV POLE.
There is a tradition that the first liberty pole reared in the
town was at the Four Corners, a mile east of Springville, and
the place has ever since been known as Liberty Pole Corners.
The time was 18 19, or thereabouts, and on the 4th day of July,
that the pioneers assembled on these corners to celebrate the
day as become the descendents of patriotic sires. Officers
were chosen, a procession formed, an oration delivered, and the
immortal declaration rehearsed ; and in due time a tall and
graceful pole was raised, unfurling to the breeze the flag of our
countr)'.
This interesting ceremony was accompanied with the firing
of guns, the cheers of the crowd, and the sound of the spirit-
stirring fife and drum. Upon this occasion the pioneers were
jovial, and ready to engage in anything laudable for the sake
of having a good time. They saw at a glance how barren the
gathering was of tilted dignit}', anci possessing a faculty that
invented as necessity demanded, they bestowed upon many a
title that did great honor to the occasion. All men are not
trained in the same school, nor are their shining qualities of the
same order, but he who excelled in an}- special province, was
worthy of a title that accorded with it ; and upon this particu-
lar occasion, the gathering included names that were exalted in
the ci\il and military ser\-ice of the land, and had the reporter
been invented, this might have appeared: " General Knox and
President Adams drank from the same Gourd, to health of his
excellency, Governor Smith," etc , etc.
^ To many of the pioneers these titles ever afterwards clung
and the\* became kno\\n to the rising generations by these
a[)pcllations antl no other, such as " General Knox " and " Gov-
ernor Smith." A stor}' is told of Governor Smith in connec-
tion with his title that is worthy of being repeated. The
Governor was a man of commanding appearance, and once
upon a time he happened to meet an old friend, a congen-
iiii-; si'Ri.\(;vii,i.K .Mii.i.. 239
ial spirit, at the old Stone Tavern on the hill. The two friends
became very convivial over their j^lasses, and an Indian who
hajjpened to be jjresent was asked to join them ; this was \ery
willinj^ly acquiesced in. After drainin^r their "lasses the Indian,
looking;- his excellenc)' square in the face, said : " Bc's you the
(lovernor of New York ?" The Gox'ernor replied in his usual
heavy gutteral voice : Not exactly the (iovernor of the State ot
New York, but I am Governor of Dutch Hollow."
THE SrRIxV(;VILLE MILL.
One of the most interesting,' chapters in the manufacturing
and business history of Springville, relates to the " Old Spring-
ville Mill," or " Colton Mill," as it is sometimes called. For
nearly fifty years it has faithfully performed a considerable part
of the milling business for a large section of the surrounding
country. It commenced b)' grinding the pioneer's wheat that
grew among the stumps, reaped with a sickle and threshed
out some keen Winter morning on the barn floor with a flail,
and has continued until the grists received at its doors grew in
the broad open field, and are harvested and threshed by the
approx'ed machinery of modern. times.
Manly Colton, of Buffalo, induced by the excellent water-
power afforded and rhe promises held forth by the productixx^-
ness of the surrounding country, decided to invest a poition of
his cajjital in a larg:; mill at Springville. Work was commenced
on Januar)- i, 1835, and the mill was completed and running
before the close of the year. Thomas Lincoln, of S[:)ring\ille,
was the architect, and Stephen W. Howell, of Buffalo, the mill-
wright. The framework of the mill was of massive proportions
and the " raising " was a memorable e\ent in the earlier histor\-
of the town. The workmanship and materials were of the best
quality, and w hen completed it was pronounced one of the fin-
est and best mills in Western New York. Its cost was $22,000.
The gigantic old water wheel was an object of interest to many
who have stood in the damp wheel-room and looked with some-
thing of a feeling of awe on its slow but certain movement.
This, as well as other jiortions of the machiner\- of the mill,
ha\'e from time to time been replaced b\- that more impnned.
The first miller was John T. Noye, late of the well-known
firm of I. T. N()\'e & Sons, of Buffalo.
240 LOCAL NAMES IN CONCORD.
Soon after being built, through the financial failure of Mr.
Colton, the mill fell into the hands of Dart Bros., of New York.
About 1846 they sold to Rufus Eaton, of Springville, who con-
ducted it for about two years, when it again became the prop-
erty of the Dart Bros., who resold it about 1848 to M. L.
Badgley and Benjamin Joslyn. After a time Mr. Joslyn became
sole proprietor, and about 1854 he sold to C. J. Shuttleworth
and William Barclay, who continued together for about two
years, when Shuttleworth bought the interest of his partner,
which he soon sold to Stephen Churchill and rebought again in
i860. The subsequent year Mr. Shuttleworth sold his interest
to Madison Scoby, and in 1862 sold the other half to Abram
Dygert. Dygert & Scoby continued in partnership two or
three years, when they sold to Shuttleworth & Chafee, who
conducted the mill together until 1874, when Mr. Shuttleworth
sold his interest to Bertrand Chafee, the present proprietor.
LOCAL NAMES IN CONCORD.
" Townsend Hill" was so named from Johnathan Townsend
and family, who settled there at an early day.
" Morton's Corners" was named after Wendell Morton and
his sons, who bought a farm and built a hotel there, which still
stands.
" Nichols" Corners" was so called from Lewis Nichols, who
settled there at an early day, and some of his descendants still
live there.
" Woodward's Hollow" was named after the Woodward
family, some of ^\'hom still reside there.
" The Branch." This localit}-, along the creek, from \W^od-
ward's Hollow to the town of North Collins, is frequently called
" The Branch," from the fact that the west branch of the Eigh-
teen-mile creek flows through it.
" Wheeler's Hollow" was named from the Wheeler brothers,
who now reside there.
"Wheeler Hill" was so named from Benjamin Wheeler and
family, who were the first settlers there.
" Spooner Hollow," so called from the Spooner family, who
li\"ed there at an earl\- da\'.
LOCAL NAMKS IN CONCORD. 24I
" Siblc}- Settlement," so named tiom the Sible)- brothers,
mIio were the first settlers in that neighborhood.
" Chafee District," named from the Chafee family, who w ere
early settlers there.
" East Concord," so called because it is situated in the east-
ern part of the town.
" Waterville," so called because two branches of the Buffalo
Creek meet there, and in former times there were several mills,
all within a mile of that place.
" Horton Hill," named from John and Truman Horton, who
settled there at an early day.
" Colden Mill," the south part of what is called " Colden
Hill," is in the town of Concord and is so named from the town
of Colden, into which it extends.
" Vaughan Street," named from several families of Vaughans
who were early settlers on tliat street, and their descendants
live there still.
" Liberty-Pole Corners," so called from the fact that the first
liberty-pole ever raised in the town was raised there at a \-ery
early day.
" Sharp Street." Tradition says that Sharp street was so
called from a house built by John Gould, which had a very
sharp or steep roof and at that time stood at the end of the
street, on the farm where Yates Gardinier now lives.
" Frye Hill," named from Enoch Frye and his father, the
first settlers there, and Enoch and descendants still live there.
" Shultes' Bridge," named from David Shultes, who owned
the land on which it was built, and lived there:
" Cook Bridge," so named from E. W. Cook, who owned the
land where the bridge stands.
" Scobey Bridge," named from Alexander Scobey, ^\■ho li\ ed
there and owned mills there at the time it was built.
" Frye Bridge," so named from the Frye's, who own the land
where the bridge crosses the Cattaraugus.
'* Block School-House," so called from the fact that the first
school-house ever built there was built of hewed logs.
THE Sl'RINGVILLK RIFLE COMPANY.
This was one of the finest companies raised on the Holland
Purchase. The rank and file was made up of the best of the
14
242 SPRINGVILLE RIFLE COMPANY.
young men. But few of the members are living to-day, and
they rank with our most honored and respected citizens.
The uniform of this company was green frock coats with
brass buttons, white pants with black velvet leggings that
reached half way to the knee, black hats ornamented in front
with a brass shield from the top of which rose a white feather
with a red tip, leather belt around the waist, with shields
affixed for knife and light tomahawk, Axhich every member in
the ranks carried. They were also armed with rifles.
This company was organized in 1820 or 1821, with Chris-
topher Douglass as captain, and Sanford P. Sampson as first
lieutenant. After serving a few years, Douglass resigned, and
by the death of Lieutenant Sampson, the command of the
company fell to Isaac Palmer. He, after serving several years,
was succeeded by Abram Starks, and Starks by Stephen Albro,
Albro by William McMillen, McMillen by Charles C. Bigelow,
and Bigelow by Ephraim T. Briggs, who had command of the
company when they were disbanded by law, and military train-
ing done away with.
TOWN OFFICERS OF CONCORD.
A perfect list of the officers of the town of Concord can not
be given as the records of the town were burned up in the great
fire in Springville in 1868. The list of Supervisors and the
time each served is complete. The list of Justices is complete,
but their term of service could not in all cases be ascertained.
But a complete list of other town officers, or their terms of
service can not be made. But the names of such of the prin-
cipal officers as have been ascertained are gi\'en.
A LIST OF THE SUPERVISORS OF CONCORD FROM ITS FIRST
ORGANIZATION TO THE PRESEN T TIME.
1821, '22, '23, '24, '25, '26 and '27, Thomas M. Barrett ; 1828
and '29, Joshua Agard ; [830, Oliver Needham ; 1831, Thomas
M.Barrett; 1832 and '33, Carlos Emmons; 1834, '35, '36 and
'37, Oliver Needham; 1838, '39, '40, '41, '42, '43, '44 and '45,
E. N. P^rye ; 1846, '47, '48, '49 and '50, C. C. Severance ; 1851,
'52, '53 and '54, S. W. Godard ; 1855, Lucian B. Towsley ;
1856, J.N.Richmond; 1857, Morris P^osdick ; 1858, '59, '60,
'61, '62 and '63, S. W. Godard; 1864 and '65, Philetus Allen;
OFFKKUS OK Till-; TOWN OF CONCORD. 243
1866, C. C. Severance ; 1S67, A. \V. Stanbio ; 1868, C. C. Sev-
erance ; 1869, A. W. Stanbro ; 1870 and '71, Bertrand Chafee ;
1874, Clark S. McMillan and Frank Chase; 1873, C. C. Sever-
ance; 1874 and '75, Erasmus Bri^ijs ; 1876 and '"jj, Henry M.
Hlackmar ; 1878, '79 and '80, William II. Warner; 1881, '82
and "^}t, Erasmus Briggs.
A LIST OF TIIF: JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR I'HE TOWN OF
CONCORD.
Ciirist()})her Douglass, Joseph Ilanchett, Rufus Eaton, Fred-
erick Richmond, William V . (}. Lake, Amaziah Ashman, Ben-
jamin Fay, John Brooks, Archibald Griffith, Elisha Mack,
Stephen Albro, Emory Sampson, John Griffith, Robert G.
Flint, Isaac Nichols, Wells Brooks, Seth W. Godard, C. C. Sev-
erance, Hiram G. Smith, Pliny Smith, Byron Cochran, O. S.
Canfield, Morris Fosdick, Fred Crary, Joseph Gaylord, William
Woodbury, Isaac Woodward, Almon Nichols, A. W\ Stanbro,
W. H. Freeman, Frank Chase, E. S. Cady, A. D. Holman,
Harry Foote, C. C. Stanbro, Willis G. Clark.
Town Clerks. — Amaziah Ashman, Noah Townsend, George
Arnold, Johnson Bensley, C. C. Severance, C. C. McClure,
McCall Long, A. W. Stanbro, A. G. Moon, A. R. Tabor, C. C.
Smith, T. B. Norris.
Collectors. — Soloman Field, Harry Stears, Roswell Olcott,
Isaac Palmer, James F. Crandall, N. A. Godard, Clinton Ham-
mond, Joseph Potter, George Thompson, Perrin Sampson, Orvill
Smith, C. J. Shuttleworth, L. P. Cox, A. J. Moon.
Assessors. — Joshua Agard, E. N. Frye, Emory Sampson,
Luther Austen, Truman White, Lsaac Palmer, Ebenezer Dibble,
Benjamin Trevitt, Oliver Needham, Charles Needham, Isaac
Nichols, J. L. Douglass, L. A. Needham. R. T. Foote, Isaac
Woodward, Perrin Sampson.
Commissioners. — Dea Russell, Isaac Knox, Emery Samp-
son, Amos Stanbro, Benjamin Fay, Jeremiah Richardson,
Harvy Andrews, Paris A. Sprague, Robert G. Mint, Abel Hol-
man, Rufus Thurber, Horace, Gaylord, Isaac Nichols, l\. K.
Ostrander, Elbert W. Cook. William W. Blackmar, Ira W'ood-
ward.
244
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD.
The following are copied from the new town book which
commences in 1869 :
1
Year.
Town Clerks.
Assessors.
1869
A. E. Hadley,
John Nichols,
1870
W. W. Blakeley,
Laban A. Needham,
1871
W. W. Blakeley,
Edward Godard,
1872
W. W. Blakeley,
John Ballon,
1873
W. W. Blakeley,
Alfred Newcomb,
1874
W. W. Blakeley,
Edward Godard,
1875
W. W. Blakeley,
William L. Mayo,
1876
Edwin L. N orris,
Isaiah Gardenier,
1877
W. H. Ticknor.
W. H. Stanbro,
1878
W. H. Ticknor,
Alfred R. Trevett,
1879
W. H. Ticknor,
George Weeden,
1880
W. H. Ticknor,
Isaiah Gardenier,
1881
Frederick G. Myers,
Alfred R. Trevett,
1882
Frederick G. Myers,
William H. Pingrey,
1883
Frederick G. Myers.
George Weeden.
Ykar.
Collectors.
Com's of Highways.
1869
George Mayo,
Henry Blackmar,
1870
George Mayo,
George D. Conger,
1871
George Mayo,
Benjamin A. Fay,
1872
Henry F. Norris,
William H. Warner,
1873
Benjamin A. Fay,
Nelson Scott,
1874
Frank Prior,
William Wiley,
1875
Frank P. Spaidding,
Samuel D. Vance,
1876
Frank 0. Smith,
Nelson Scott,
1877
Frank P. Spaulding,
1878
John H. Melvin,
1879
John H. Melvin,
Marcus B. Churchill,
1880
Edward D. Bement,
Marcus B. Churchill,
1881
Morris C. PVeeman,
A. C. Adams,
1882
Morris C. Freeman,
William H. Warner,
1883
Morris C. Freeman.
A. C. Adams.
ACCOUNTS OK lOWN OF CONCORD FOR 183O.
H5
TOWiV ACCOUNTS AS AUDITED AND ALLOWED ACiAINST THE
TOWN OF CONCORD FOR THE YEAR 1830.
Names.
John Brooks
Joshua A^ard
Amaziah Ashman . . .
Stephen Needham . . .
A. G. EIHott
David Rensley
Abel Holman
Benjamin Sibley
Thomas M. Barrett. .
Homer Barnes
Emery Sampson
Luther Austen
Benjamin Fay
Noah Townsend
Jeremiah Richardson.
Archibald Griffith.. . .
Robert G. Flint
Samuel Cochran
William Smith
Widow Woodcock . . .
Robert Curran
L. B. Tousley
William Vaughan. . . .
Oliver Needham
Silas Rushmore
David Shultus
Roads and Bridi^es.
Common Schools. .
Contini^ent I'und . .
Rejected Tax
Collectors Fees. . . .
County Tax
Total Tax
Claims.
$ 5 00
10 00
6 00
9 75
9 13
2 50
9 50
I 50
8 13
6 00
10 50
14 75
13 24
15 00
11 -'R
1 1 -,(->
4 00
3 50
8 00
7 00
10 00
15 00
2 00
5 00
7 00
5 00
5 00
250 00
180 66
26 69
13 31
61 83
559 10
Total.
$206 88
1,091 59
11,298 47
246 NAMES OF KARLV SE'I TLKRS.
THE NAMES OF PERSONS NOW LIVING WHO CAME TO AND SET
TLED IN THE TOWN OF CONCORD, SIXTY TO SEVENTY
YEARS A(;0, SOME OF WHOM HA\ K REMOVED TO OTHER
LOCALITIES.
Mrs. Ezekiel Adams, ai^cd 96; Mrs. William Ballou, ai:^cd 91 ;
Huldah Townsend Sinclair, aged 86; Lathrop Bebee, aged 87 :
Mrs. Lathrop Bebec, aged 82 ; Orrin Sibley, aged 85 ; Mrs.
Orrin Sible)-, aged i^], ; Silas Wheeler, aged 92 ; Pliny Wheeler,
aged 82 ; Mrs David Wiley, aged 83 ; Alvira Townsend Owen,
aged 80; Mrs. Boyles, aged 90; Mahala Eaton Butterworth,
aged 80; Enoch N. Frye, aged 83 ; M. M. Frye, aged 80; John-
son Chase, aged 82; Susannah Phillips Chase, aged 80 ; Mrs.
Truman Horton, aged 83 ; Sally Foster Needham, aged 82 :
Acsah Wheeler Townsend, aged 80 ; Eliza Shultus Reynolds,
aged 80 ; William Southworth, aged over 90 ; Col. Sylvenus
Cook, aged 88 ; Luke Simons, aged 85 ; P'anny Wheeler Gould,
aged 90; Windsor and Stary King, Mrs. Stary King, Windsor
Chase, Calvin Killom, Vincent M. Cole, Almira Chafee Black-
mar, Eliza Chafee Cole, Vernam C. Cooper, Betsey Cooper
Simons, Mrs. Calvin Smith, Erastus Mayo, Martha King-
Wheeler, Samuel Wheeler, P\anny P^ay Pleld. James P"ay, John
T. Wells. Mrs. John T. Wells, Mrs. Isaac Palmer, Samuel,
Joseph and Abram Hammond, Hosea W. Townsend, Asa R.
Trevett, Sally Trevett Clark. Hannah Philips l\vichell, Asa
and Marcus Philips, Henry Ackley, Cornelia Drake Wood,
Thomas M. and Jonathan Briggs, George Barrett, Jane Plem-
ing P'ield, Mary P'errin Barrett. William Sampson, Mrs. Isaac
Nichols, Saban A. Needham, Mrs. Marion Twichell Needham,
Mary King Vance, Mary Ann Sampson Bingham, Samuel
Shaw, Salmon Shaw, Mrs. Esther Pike 85 ; E. H. Drake, I. E.
Drake, Julia Rhodes Lincoln, P^mily Rhodes Britton, George
E. Crandall, William McMillan, T. H. Potter, Lucy Twicheh.
William Kellogg, T. H. Gary, Mrs. Martha Olcott Trevitt, Mrs.
Mary Wheeler Drake, John S. P\>sdick, Jesse Fosdick, Mar\-
P^osdick Getty, Alice P^osdick Andrews, Mrs. Harvy Andrews,
aged 82 ; Mrs. William Dye, about 90; Constant Trevitt, aged
96; Reuben Wright, 82, Stanbury Wright.
THK V()Si;UR<; MURDKR CASK. 247
RKSIDENTS OF CONCORD WHO SliRNKD IN Illl': WAR OF l8l2.
Isaac Knox, Samuel Cochran, Benjamin Fay, Amaziah Ash-
man, Solomon Field, Isaiah Pike, Smith Russell, Nicholas
Armstead, Joseph Hanchett, Isaac I>ush, Chaniiing Trevitt
Thomas McGee, George Killom, Lewis Trexitt, Joseph Yaw>
Uavid Shultes, Charles C. Wells, FJijah Parmenter, William
Weeden, Samuel Burgess, William Shultes, John Drake, John-
athan Townsend, jr., Christopher Douglass, Gideon Parsons,
Hale Mathewson, T. M. Barrett, Comfort Knapp.
THK vosiJiJRc; murdkr cask.
FLarly in the Fall of 1S35. one Joseph Carter was conducting
an asher)- on what is now Fast Franklin street, near Main street,
Springville, for the manufacture of potash. At this time the
" Big Mill " was being built by Manly Colton. of Buffalo. Mr.
Colton had in his employ one — Vosburg, of Buffalo, as fore-
man of the mason work on the mill. Vosburg made the
acquaintance of Carter, and was accustomed after his day's
work was done to repair to the ashery, where Carter kept up a
fire during the night in the arch under the huge caldron in
which he prepared the potash. Heie the two men would
i.ndulge in card-playing by the light of the fire. On the night
of the supposed murder. Carter and Vosburg were joined in
their pastime at the ashery by a vagabond character named
Goodell, who had no fixed home or occupation. On the night
in question it api)ears the trio indulged freely in the ardent.
The next morning the lifeless bod}' of Vosburg was found out-
side of the asher\- building, his clothing saturated with the black-
salts from the boiling caldron, and signs that he had been
dragged from the inside of the building to the outside. At
once a very general impression [)re\'ailed that the man had
been murdered b}- his two companions either by striking on the
head with some murderous weapon and then throwing the
body into the. caldron to cover suspicion or b)- the more hor-
rible method of throwing him by force into the boiling salts.
Carter and Goodell claimed that Vosburg fell accidently into
the caldron and so met his death. They were arrested for the
murder, tried in Buffalo in the proper Court and acquitted.
248 THE OTIS MUKDKR.
The evidence submitted b\- the prosecution being neeessarily
circumstantial.
The defence proved that it was possible for a man to fall into
such a place and get out before death would occur — such .m
instance ha\'ing occurred some time previous in Sardinia.
IIIE OTIS MURDER.
Ransford Otis came from Vermont to Sardinia, and in 1826
came from Sardinia to Concord; he lived on Lot 18, on the
Cattaraugus creek, south of Springville. April 21, 1840, he
was murdered by Major McEllery, an Irishman, who was living
at his house. He had lived there but a few weeks, but had
lived about the forks of the creek for some time. At that time
there was a grist mill up at Richmonds, and they had been up
to mill and returned and were at the barn putting out the team
in the forepart of the evening, when McEllery, who was a
larger and much stronger man than Otis, stepped up behind
him and grabbed him around the neck and choked till he
thought he had killed him, when he laid him on some boards
on the barn floor next the hay ; but Otis came to and said,
" Major, you don't mean to kill me ? " Then McEllery pounded
him till he was dead. He then set the barn on fire. Presently
the people on the creek and some from Springville saw the fire
and came running down, and McEllery was there, and they
enquired of him where Mr. Otis was, and McEllery said he had
gone over to Mr. May's, who was his brother-in-law. and lived
over across the creek where Warren Ransom lives now. And
some of those present went over to Mr. May's and found that
Otis had not been there, and when the barn had fallen in and
was burning fiercely, McEllery was seen to put his hands up to
shade his eyes and look sharply through the smoke and flames
at some object burning in the fire and on the hay. The people
mistrusted him and had him arrested then and there, and he
was committed to jail, and in due time tried and convicted and
made a confession before he died. He was hung on the 19th
da)- of January, 1841.
THE OEl) SPRIN(^.VILI,E HOTEL.
The old hotel was built in i<S24 b\' Rufus C. Eaton, assisted
by his brother, Elisha. At that time, Main street had not been
riii'; oi.i) si'kiN(;vii,i.i-. iiori;!,.
249
opened but two or three years, and there was not a building on
the south side of the street, from the Liberty Pole west to
Waverly street, and forest trees were standing on the lots
opposite the hotel. Rufus C, kept the hotel several years and
then sold it to Johnson Bensley, who also run it a few years.
In the Sprino of 1833, Richard Wadsworth. father of H. t!
VVadsworth, bought it and kept it until the Spring of 1836,
when he sold it to Edwin Marsh, of Buffalo, who turned it into
a boarding house for a short time. Within a year, Marsh sold
it to Varney Ingalls, and the title remained with him and his
heirs about twenty-two years. During that time it was rented
and run by Mr. Wing and son, by Phelps and Tisdel Hatch, by
(iaston U. Smith, by James V. Crandall, William Olin, George
Shultus, jr. Constant and Abner Graves, Brand and Harrington,
Ballon and Stanbro, Miles Hayes, Mortimer L. Arnold, and
James Razee. In 1859, I'erigrine Eaton bought it of Mr.
Severance and SyKester Eaton's family kept boarders then,
afterwards Mrs. Rumsey kept boarders. In 1866, E. S. Pierce
bought it and kept hotel there, " Hat "' Holmes and George
Goodspeed each rented it and run it, and E. S. Pierce kept it
again. In i8;i, Rust and Dygert bought it, soon after Dygert
sold out to Rust, who kept it till the Spring of 1876, when it
went into the hands of E. Briggs, assignee, who sold it in
the Spring of 1877 to Alvo Axtell, and he sold it to
Joseph Capron, and he to H. G. Leland, in the P'all of 1877.
In 1879, ^Ir- Leland took down the old house and erected in its
stead the present new, enlarged and tasty hotel building.
When the old hotel was first built, there were no meetino-
nouses m Sprmgville, and religious meetings were sometimes
held in the hall. The lodge of F. & A. M., in this town, some-
times held their meetings there. There the )^oung people
occasionally had their social gatherings. The hall was occupied
in 1844, by the Whigs as a club room, there they held their
meetings, made their sjieeches, and sang their songs. The
post-office was kept there for a while when Major Blasdell was
postmaster. Town meetings were held there once or twice.
At various periods during its existence of over half a century,
many of the lawyers and doctors, and business men of the vil-
lage, made it their boarding place and their home for vears.
250 PANTHER STORIES.
In early times, before the railroad days, there was considera-
ble emigration passing through Springville to the West, and
quite an amount of travel from Cattaraugus county through to
Buffalo. Frequently the hotel barn would be full, and the
,beds all full, and sometimes the bar-room floor would be full,
(and occasionally a customer would be in the same condition).
Many and great changes have taken place since the old hotel
was built, not only in this town and county, but throughout the
world. Then no railroads for carrying passengers had ever
been built ; then no steamships were carrying passengers across
the ocean. The telegraph had not been invented. Then
there were no sewing-machines, mowing-machines or threshing-
machines in being. The Erie canal had not been completed ;
then the assessed value of the real estate of the town of Buffalo
was less than half what the assessed v^alue of the real estate of
the town of Concord is now. Then there was not a cook-stove
or a bugg}^ in this town. The old hotel has passed away and
will be seen no more, although it \\as small in size and inferior
in style and dingy in appearance, yet it abounded in good
cheer, and many a good time had been enjoyed there. And just
as good eatables and drinkables ha\'e been served up there as
in the great hotels of New York or Saratoga.
PANTHER STORIES.
A short time before David Shultus came and located on his
place on the C.attaraugus creek, an Indian family camped
down there on the flats, they had a child just old enough to
run around outside the wigwam. One day just at dusk, a
panther caught the child and killed it, about that time the
Indian, who had been out hunting, came home and shot the
panther. The Indian buried the child there on the flats and
put in its gra\e such articles as was their custom. The Indian
came there after ]\Ir. Shultus located there and related the cir-
cumstances of the case to him, and showed him the child's
grave, and the bones and claws of the panther. He had the
skin of one foot and part of the leg for a tobacco pouch, and
said he should have it buried with him when he died.
Soon after Truman White settled on what is now the John
Wells farm, within the corporation of Spring\'ille, and when there
A Illkll.l.IXi; IJKAR Sl'ORV. 2$ I
was nothiiiL^ but a path throui^h the woods where the road is
now. His son. Tompkins White, then a boy, started from the
house to come north in the patli, and a panther came down
from the hill on the east side and confronted him, they faced
each other awhile and when the boy stepped forward the pan-
ther did the same. The boy concluded it was best to retreat
towards the house, which was close by, which he did without
beins^ molested by the panther.
In 1816, Da\-id Wiley, David Shultus and (jeorge Shultus
went over to the Heaver Meadows in Cattaraugus county,
twelve miles from Springville, after cattle on a pleasant day
about the 20th of Noxember, they had to stay ail night and as
there were no settlers there, the)' built up a rousing fire in the
woods and sta)'ed by it. In the night a furious snow storm
arose and the panthers screamed around them and one came
so near that the\- ccnild see his eyes glimmer in the darkness.
David Shultus went over bear-footed and in the morning the
snow was about a foot deep, and he had to dance around quite
lively to keep from freezing. At that time there were
several beaver dams and beaver houses along the creek on the
Beaxer Meadows.
A BEAR STORY.
The following bear story is related b}- the late David Oyer,
father of Jacob Oyer, of Springville : " It was some 60 or more
years ago since I went to the town of Ashford. Only a few^
settlers were there at that time, and the few cows they po.s-
sessed were suffered to roam, through the woods. The few set-
tlers would take turns in looking them up at milking time.
The ex'ening in question it fell to my lot to bring the cows
home, and it being Sunday I did not take my gun along, as was
customar)- with me, but I coaxed all the dogs in the settlement
to accompany me, and I started out in an easterly direction,
and it was not long before I could hear the tinkling of the bells.
All at once the dogs set up a terrible outcry in the direction
that I was going, and I quickened my footsteps and soon came
up with the dogs, who had a bear at bay. He sat upright upon
his haunches with his back to a large tree, and whenever a dog
<jot within his reach it receixed a terrible bloxv from Bruin's
252
NAMES OF PARTIES TAKING DEEDS
paw, and whenever he turned and attempted to climb the tree
the dogs would seize him and haul him back. What was to be
done ? My only arms was a pocket-knife, but this stood me
well in hand ; with it I cut a heavy cudgel, and by keeping the
tree between myself and the bear, I was able to approach near
enough, and by stepping to one side I dealt him a stunning
blow across the nose, and a few more over the head finished
him. That bear was dressed and divided up among the set-
tlers, who enjoyed a feast.
LANDS DEEDED IN CONCORD.
The names of persons who took deeds of land from the Hol-
land Compan}', the number of the lots and parts of lots, the
number of acres, and the date of- purchase :
TOWNSHIP SIX. RANGE SIX.
Lot.
Acres ; Subdivision. ' Date of Deed.
140
126
100
123
I 22
217
140
60
100
lOI
50
50
125
76
63
48
120
100
TOO
75
70
9'
70
30
50
e pt . .
w pt . .
s pt . . .
m pt. .
n pt . .
spt. .
n pt . .
s-e pt .
n-e . . .
m pt. .
s-w pt.
n-w pt.
s-w pt.
n-e pt .
m pt. .
n-w pt
spt...
m pt. .
n pt . .
s-e pt .
s-w pt.
A\' m pt
e m pt
n-e pt .
Nov. II, 1841
Nov. I. 1840. .
Dec. 7, 1815 . ,
Jan. 21, 1818. .
Jan. 21,1818,
Sept. 24, 1823,
Dec. 3, 1823 . .
Sept. 25, 1833,
Dec. 29, 1837 ,
Jan. 13, 1834..
Dec. 10, 1834 .
Mar. 8, 1833 . .
July 17,1827..
Dec. 31, 1836 .
Sept. 29, 1831 .
Jan. 22, 1846. .
July I, 1839...
July 22, 1834..
June 14, 1832.
Jan. 16, 1834. .
Sept. 20, 1838.
May 26, 1836.
Aug. 23, 1832.
Jan. 16, 1836. .
April 10, 1832.
Name.
Eaton Bentley.
Joseph Harkness.
Samuel Cochran.
Joseph Yaw.
Christopher Douglass.
Rufus Eaton.
John Albro.
Charles C. Wells.
Silas Rushmore.
James Hinman, Jr.
John Van Pelt.
Varne)' Ingalls.
Noah Cuher.
Jedediah Stark.
Benjamin Nelson.
Elijah Matthewson.
Marsena Ballard.
Joel Chaffee.
William Weeden.
John Russell.
Francis White.
Aimer White.
William Weeden.
Rob. Auger.
Jar\-is Bloomfield.
FROM THE HOLLAND COMI'ANV.
TOWNSHIP SIX, RANGE ?,\X—Conti,uied.
25;
25
26
26
Lot.
Acres.
Subdivision.
Date of Deed.
Name.
8
100
n-w pt . . .
Jan. 14, 1834. .
Samuel Cochran.
8
100
n-w pt . . .
Jan. 14. 1834..
Samuel Cochran.
9
245
w 1
Dec. 2, 1817 . .
Abraham Mid da ugh.
10
162
w 1
Mar. 18, 1823 .
Benjamin Rhodes.
1 1
50
s pt
Aug-. 31, 1830.
Elizabeth Austin.
1 1
50
s m pt . . .
Mar. 2, 1829.. .
Harvev' Andrew.
II
75
m j)t
Aug. 30, 1 83 1.
Julius Bement.
II
75
n pt
Oct. 4, 1826.. .
Phineas Scott.
12
bo
^^- 1
Oct. 31, 1832..
Jarvis Bloomfield.
13
100
e pt
July 15,1834..
Thomas Johnson.
13
82
w pt
Nov. 30, 1837.
Giles Churchill.
13
50
n pt
Aug. 31, 1830.
Luther Austin.
14
185
\\- 1
Dec. 30, 1836 .
Elbert W. Cook.
15
50
•^ pt
Dec. 30, 1836 .
Elbert W. Cook.
15
58
n pt
Jan. 3, 1857...
Jarvis Bloomfield.
lb
^7
•- pt
Jan. 29, 1842. .
David Wiley.
lb
42
m pt
Jan. 3, 1837...
Jarvis Bloomfield.
17
84
^ pt
Oct. 25, 1838. .
Ebenezer Dibble.
17
50
m pt
Mar. 25, 1837.
Jarvis Bloomfield.
17
10
11 m pt . . .
June 17, 1828.
J. White.
17
69
n pt
Jan. 23, 1837..
Truman W'hite.
18
7«
s pt
Oct. 9, 1837...
Ransford Otis.
18
b9
n pt
Jan. 23, 1836. .
Truman White.
19
126
w 1
Sept. 10, 1822 .
George Shultus.
20
150
w I
May 25, 1829 .
Orrin Ballard.
21
125
w 1
Oct. 21, 1819. .
William Shultus.
22
140
^^• 1
Feb. 18, 18 14. .
David Shultus.
23
47
s c pt . . . .
Oct. 14, 1836..
Abel Holman.
23
50
s-w pt. . . .
Sept. 6, 183 1 . .
David Shultus.
23
4>
n pt
May 22, 1835 .
Jabez Weeden.
24
79
M^t
Mar. 2, 1832. .
Abel Holman.
24
40
11 pt
Jan. 8. 1835...
Abel Holman.
25
80
■M^t
Dec. 30, 1837..
N. A. Bowen.
25
43
m pt
Aug. 13, 1838.
George Richmond. Jr.
25
34
11 pt ]
Jan. 7, 1835.. .
Nathan Hull.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SIX.
365
95
50
s-e pt .
n-e pt .
Sept. 21, 1809.
Dec. 29, 1836. .
Dec. 29, 1836. .
James Vaughan.
Asa Wells.
Jonathan Mayo.
254 NAMES OF PARTIES TAKING DEEDS
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SlX—Conlinued.
Lot.
Acres.
50
Subdivision. Dai e of Deed.
Name.
26
s m pt .
. Dec. 29, 1836. .
Willard W. Cornwell.
26
50
n m pt . .
. Dec. 29, 1836. .
Hiram Mayo.
26
50
s-\v pt. .
. June 5, 1834. .
Mary Rouse.
26
50
n-\v pt .
. Oct. 9, I •'-32.. .
William Smith.
^7
62
s-e pt . .
. July 18, 1839. •
P. C. Sherman.
2J
63
n-e pt . .
. Dec. 29, 1836..
Archibald Griffiths.
27
62
s m pt .
. April 18, 1840.
James Bloodgood.
.27
62
n m pt .
. May 17, 1836..
Archibald Griffiths.
27
88
.s-w pt . .
. June 19, 1837.
William B. Wemple.
.27
32
n-w pt .
. Nov. 22, 1830.
Archibald Griffiths.
28
175
s pt. . . .
. Oct. 14, 1 83 1 . .
John M. Bull.
28
175
n pt . . .
. Nov. 22, 1838.
Amos Stanbro.
29
47
s-e pt . .
. Mar. I, 1838. .
Amos Stanbro.
29
47
e m pt .
. Dec. 29, iN36 .
William Olin.
;29
94
n-c pt. .
. Auo-. 13, 1836.
Abraham Gardiner.
29
70
s-w ])t. .
. May 14, 1832..
H. J. Vo.sburo-h.
29
24
vv m pt.
. April I, 1839. •
\W P. Powers.
29
94
n-w pt. .
. Sept. 13, 1836.
Abraham Gardiner.
30
100
e pt . . .
.. Oct. 12. 1842..
John Cotrell.
30
100
m pt. . .
.| Oct. 12, 1842. .
Joseph Cotrell.
.30
154
w pt . . .
., July 18, 1839. .
P. C. Sherman.
.31
65
m pt. . .
. Dec. 29, 1837..
Arnold Wilson.
31
TOO
w pt . . .
. April I, 1839. •
William P. Powers.
32
TOO
e pt . . .
. Oct. 26, 1836. .
Alexander Butterfield,
32
7^:>
m pt. . .
. Julv 18, 1839. •
P. C. Sherman.
32
50
w pt . . .
■ July 8, 1833- •■
William L. J add.
33
50
s-e pt . .
. Sept. 25, 1837.
Charles Wells.
\ Seth W. Godard and
33
50
-S-w pt . .
. April 20, 1843 •
( Eber Brooks.
33
137
m p . . .
. Oct. 17, 1837. .
Benjamin Freeman.
33
87
n-e pt . .
. June 7, 1836. .
Asa Wells.
33
50
n-w pt .
. Sept. 20, 1837.
Jo.seph McMillan.
34
50
s-e pt . .
. May 5, 1832. .
James Bloodgood.
34
100
n-e pt . .
. Dec. 30, US36. .
William Smith.
34
50
s m pt .
.; Mar. 11, 1S35.
James Bloodgood.
34
50
s-w m pt
. Dec. 27, 1836 .
Josiah Graves.
34
50
n m pt .
. Dec. 21, 1838..
Moses W. Griswold.
34
55
w pt . . .
. . Jan. IT, 1837..
Seeley Squires.
35
50
.s-e pt . .
. . June 19. 1837.
William B. Wemple.
35
89
e m i)t .
. Nov. 17, 1838.
William B. Wemple.
35
50
n-e pt . .
. . Jan. 17, 1828. .
A. Griffith.
35
139
n-w pt .
.: Feb. 15, 1834..
Jonathan Mayo.
FROM THE HOLLAND COM LAN V.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE S\X—Con(inued.
255
Lot.
Acres.
Subdivision.
Date of Deed.
Name.
35
50
w m pt. .
April I, 1839. •
William P. Powers.
35
50
n-w pt . .
Jan. 3,1838...
James Wilson.
l^
100
e pt
Dec. 28, 1837 •
Mor. L. Badgley.
36
59
em pt . .
Nov. 13, 1837.
P^dward Cram.
36
100
w m pt. . .
Aug. u, 1836.
David Meeker.
37
127
spt
July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
37
50
n m pt . .
June 19, 1837.
Rebecca Putman.
37
60
n pt . . . .
April I, 1839. •
W. P. Powers.
37
1 10
5f npt...
Jan. 18, 1851. .
Phineas Scott.
3«
31
s-c pt . . .
Dec. 26, 1837.
John Griffith.
38
ICX)
s m pt . . .
April I, 1839. •
D. H. Chandler.
38
116
n-e pt . . . .
Nov. 27, 1837.
Hez. Griffiths.
38
62
n-w pt . .
April I, 1839. .
W. P. Powers.
39
113
^^ pt
June 16, 1843..
George N. Williams..
39
164
m pt . . . .
April I, 1839. •
D. H. Chandler.
39
100
n pt
\ June 14,1837
( or 1836.. . .
Homer Barnes.
40
50
^ pt
Jan. 21, 1833..
Abner Wilson.
40
200
s m pt . . .
April I, 1839. •
W. P. Powers.
40
100
n pt
Auo. 23, 1838.
Chauncey Dunbar.
41
60
■'^ pt
Jan. 31. 1837..
Josiah D. Graves.
41
233
m pt
Jan. 3, 1837...
Ashley Holland.
41
100
n pt
Dec. I, 1823.. .
Samuel Bradley.
42
100
s pt
Aug. 31, 1 810.
Luther Curtiss.
42
100
s m pt . . .
Dec. 30, 1836..
Amos Stanbro.
42
47
n-e m . . . .
Feb. I, 1839.. ■
David L. Sweet.
42
53
n w ni . . .
Nov. 6, 1838. .
John Gould.
42
73
n i)t
Mar. 7, 1857. .
Hiram Mayo.
43
43
43
20
Feb. I, 1839.. •
F^eb. 1 , 1856. . .
Erastus Mayo.
Weston Waite.
55
50
s-e pt . . . .
Feb. 15, 1834..
Jonathan Mayo.
43
75
w m pt..
Dec. 31, 1836..
James Curtiss.
43
96
n-e pt . . . .
Dec. 31, 1836..
Calvin Smith.
43
TOO
n-w pt . .
Dec. 20, 1837..
Prentis Stanbro, Jr.
44
70
s-e pt . . . .
Dec. 6, 1836...
Dax'id Campbell.
44
70
n-e pt . . .
Dec. 6. 1839.. ■
Samuel Jocoy.
44
91
s m pt . .
Feb. 5, 1838.. .
Arnold Cranston.
44
50
n m pt . .
Oct. 31, 1838. .
Amos Stanbro.
44
50
w m pt..
April 7, 1838..
Prentis Stanbro, Jr.
44
50
w pt . . . .
April 7, 1838. .
Prentis Stanbro.
45
30
s-e pt . . .
Oct. 21, 1837. .
Samuel A, Jocoy.
45
65
s-w pt. . .
1 June 9, 1838. .
William Smith, Jr.
256 NAMES OF PARTIES TAKIXC; DEEDS
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SIX— Continued.
Lot. Acres. Subdivision. Date of Deed
Names.
45
100
45
100
45
100
46
133
46
50
46
50
45
50
46
100
47
143
47
100
47
125
48
288
48
75
48
100
49
66
49
75
49
100
49
100
50 ,
50
50
75
50 i
40
50 I
100
50 !
25
50 1
40
51 !
42
51 i
90
51 j
100
51 1
102
5-
64
52
50
52
128
52 1
102
52
68
53
83
53
75
53
79
53
51
53
50
54
364
55
152
55 !
100
s m pt . . . i Dec. 26, 1 833. .
n m pt. . . I Dec. 25, 1838..
n pt I Nov. 21, 1837.
s pt I July i<S, 1839..
s m pt . . . : A\n-'\\ 1, 1839. .
e m pt. . . I June 16, 1845 .
w m pt. . . I April 9, 1 828 . .
n pt I April i, 1839. •
c pt j July 18 1839. •
m pt 1 Aug. 23, 1838 .
w pt [ June 5, 1837. .
e pt , July 18, 1839..
m pt j Sept. 22, 1855 .
w pt April I, 1839. •
s pt Dec. 28, 1836..
.s m pt . . . Feb. 6, 1833. . .
m pt ! Oct. 10, 1829. .
n pt : Aug. 27, 1824.
s pt j Aug. 10, 1830.
s m pt. . . ! Feb. i, 1834.. .
m pt April 2, 1838. .
n pt Jan. 6, 1836. . .
n-e pt. . . . Dec. 27, 1838..
n-w pt. . . Dec. 27, 1838..
s-e pt . . . . ' April 2, 1838. .
n-n-e pt.. June 17, 1835.
.s-w pt. ..^ Oct. 17, 1833..
\v m pt. . Feb. 28, 1831..
e pt July 18, 1839..
em pt. . . June 12. 1838.
n-e & m pt Mar. 26. 1853..
n-w pt. . . t April 2. 1838. .
n-\v pt . . . Dec. 18. 1840..
s pt Mar. 26. 1853..
.s m pt . . . Mar. 10, 1841. .
n m pt. . . July 24, 1853..
n-e pt.. . . ' Sept. 29, 1855 .
n-w pt. . . Oct. 23, 1841 .
Dec. 25, 1817..
w m & -s-e . J une 8, 1 849 . .
n-e pt . . . . Jan. 4. 1839. .
David Smith.
Patrick Hogan.
I Ephraim Needham.
P. C. Sherman.
' W. P. Powens.
J George N. Williams.
; Aaron Cole.
D. C. Chandler.
P. C. Sherman.
Chauncey B. Dunbar,
i Wheeler Drake.
i P. C. Sherman.
Julia Anne Abbott.
W. P. Powers.
David Shultes.
Varney Ingalls.
Varney Ingalls.
Varney Ingalls.
Abraham Fisher.
Daniel Tice.
Amos Stanbro.
Zimri Ingalls.
Zimri Ingalls.
Caleb Ingalls.
Amos Stanbro.
Amos Stanbro.
James Flemmings.
Amos Stanbro.
P. C. Sherman.
Amos Stanbro.
Philip Ferrin.
Amos Stanbro.
i R. C. Eaton and
( Otis Butterworth.
\\'illiam Smith, Jr.
Ephraim A. Briggs.
Stary King.
Stephen Churchill.
Edward Goddard.
Jonathan Sibley, Jr.
Orrin Sibley.
S}l\'ester Abbott.
FROM rilK IIOI.I.AM) COMI'ANV.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE S\X- Continued.
257
Loiv
55
56
56
56
56
56
57
57
57
57
57
5«
58
58
58
59
59
59
59
60
60
60
60
60
61 ;
61 i
61 I
62 !
62
62 I
62 j
63 I
<33 :
63
63
64
64
64 I
64 !
49
Aches. Smnivi^iox. I Daye ok Deed.
Namf.s.
50
50
90
100
75
75
50
75
75
55
55
39
81
64
72
72
56
56
114
75
123
50
50
20
50
125
1 10
50 1
98
50
100 !
50 ^
125
56
54
59
75
57
47
47
104
j .s-w i)t. . . ,
.s-w pt . . .
^■pt
c m [)t . . .
I s m pt . . .
.s-w })t . . .
! n-w pt . . .
.s-e pt . . . .
! .s-w pt . . .
n-c pt. . . .
n m pt . . .
n-w i)t . . .
s-e pt . . . .
n-e ])t . . . .
m pt
w pt . . . .
s-e pt . . . .
n-e pt . . . .
m pt
M' pt
e pt
s m pt . . .
n m pt . . .
s-w pt . . .
n-\v pt . . .
s pt
m pt
n-e pt . . . . j
s-e pt . . . . '
s-w pt . . . . !
m pt
n pt
s pt
n-e pt .... ;
n m pt. . . i
n-w pt . . . I
s-c i^t . . . .
c m pt. . . i
n-c pt. . . .
n m pt . . . I
w pt . . . . j
m 6v: s-c pt
Jan. 13, 1829.
Oct. 20, 1 84V
Mays, 1835^..
June 4. 1834. ,
Dec. 26, 1837..
Dec. 26, 1837..
Nov. 15. 1836.
Nov. 5, 1841 . .
' Feb. 22, 1836..
f Oct. 25. 1838. .
I Oct. 18, 1851 . .
I Sept. 14, 1836.
I Dec. 26, 1838..
Dec. 2j, 1838..
April I, 1839. .
April 19, 1837.
June 27, 1838.
Dec. 10, 1834..
Jan. 9, 1829. . .
Feb. 6, 1837.. .
Mar. 26, 1853..
June 6, 1836. .
April I. 1839. .
Oct. 3. 1836...
Nov. s, 1836. .
Feb. 7, 1838...
July 18, 1839. •
Feb. 24, r83i..
Sept. 13, 1845 ■
June 22, 1835 .
April 2, 1838. .
Dec. 27, 1831..!
Mar. 6, 1828.. .j
Dec. 1 3 or 30/36:
Dec.i2or3i,'36i
Dec. 13, 1836.1
Dec. 30. 1836. . I
July 20. 1836. .1
Dec. 30. 1 836. . I
Dec. 30. 1836. .j
April I, 1839. .
Mar. 22, 1854.
, Orrin Siblc}-.
j Trumbull Carey.
Sylvester Abbott.
Caleb Abbott.
William A. Calkins.
Henr)' Smith.
D. Lewis.
! Carlos Emmons.
Carlos Emmons.
Alanson Wheeler.
! Benjamin Wheeler, Jr
Varney Ingalls.
Benjamin \Mieeler.
Caleb In<Talls.
W. P. Powers.
John House.
Ebenezer Blake.
Benjamin Fay.
Benjamin Fay.
; Nehemiah Fay.
Philip Ferrin.
Noah Townsend.
W. P. Powers.
Constant Trevitt.
Thomas Stephenson.
Amos Stanbro.
Pardon C. Sherman.
J. Southwick.
Jacob LeRoy.
William Field.
Joshua Afjard.
H. E. Potter.
Joshua Agard.
Abijah Sibley.
Joshua Agard.
Benjamin Sibley.
Michael Curran.
Moses Leonard.
Oliver Dutton.
Orange Wells.
W. P. Powers.
Elnoch N. Frve.
2 5«
NAMES OF PARriES TAKINCi DEEDS
RANGE SEVEN, TOWNSHIP S\X— Continued.
Lot.
Acres.
30
Stbdivision.
n-e pt . . . .
Date of Deeo.
Name.
49
Mar. 4, 1854 . .
Jesse Frye.
49
75
m pt
Oct. 27, 1836. .
Enoch N. Frye.
49
75
w m pt. . .
June 12, 1834.
Jesse Frye.
49
25
s-w pt . . . .
Nov. 8, 1852..
Jesse F'rye.
49
74
n-w pt. . . .
July 10, 1834..
James S. Erye.
56
140
w 1
Dec. 4, 1833.. .
Isham & D. G. Williams
57
35
e pt
Dec. 4, 1833...
Isham & D. G. Williams
57
108
w pt
Oct. 15. 1852. .
William Weber.
58
100
w 1
April 18, 1838.
Michael Smith.
59
86
e pt
April 12, 1838.
Michael Smith.
59
86
w pt
July 23, 1839..
Tristam Dodge.
60
159
w I
Dec. I, 1855 • •
Michael Smith.
61
193
e pt
Mar. 4. 1854. .
Jesse Frye.
61
75
\\' pt
July I, [838...
Abraham Van Tuyl.'
62
132
s-e pt ....
March 4, 1854
Jesse Frye.
62
100
n-e pt . . . .
Jan. 28, 1854. .
Morgan L. Badgley.
62
125
w pt
March 22, 1854
Enoch N. Frye.
66
105
' s-e pt . . . .
Dec. 27, 1838.
\ B. G. Kingsbury and
( John Haveland.
66
104
e m pt . . .
Sept. 28, 1837.
Luther Austin.
66
50
s-w pt. . . .
Dec. 28, 1837..
Jacob Hufstater, Jr.
66
50
n pt ....
Oct. 27, 1836. .
Jacob Hufstater, Jr.
67
50
n pt
Jan. 12, 1839. .
T. B. Marvin.
67
Dec. 4, 1833...
\ Daniel G. Williams
141
w pt
( and Isham Williams.
68
70
spt
Jan. 10, 1834. .
John Williams.
58
95
n pt
March 28, 1836
Aimer White.
69
70
s pt
Sept. 21, 1837
John Williams.
69
100
n pt
July 18, 1839..
r. C. Sherman.
70
138
^\' 1
July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
71
123
s pt ...... .
Oct. 14, 1841 . .
Daniel Green.
71
240
" P
Feb. 16, 1854.
Morgan L. Badgeley.
72
60
■^ pt
March 4. 1854
Jesse Frye.
78
274
•^ pt
Jul}- 18, 1839 .
P. C. Sherman.
78
50
n-\v pt ...
Nov. 1, 1840. .
Charles Watson.
78
50
n pt
Oct. 23. 1840..
Evert Van Buren.
79
223
ept
July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
79
50
m pt
Sept. 2, 1854. .
James S. P"rye.
80
50
e pt
Jan. 2, 1856.. .
Alexander M. Bruce.
80
100
e m pt . . .
Oct. 6. 1838...
Amos Stanbro.
80
103
m pt
July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
80
100
w pt
Sept. 28, 1 841 .
Charles l^ringle.
Vinni till'. IIOLI,AND COMPANY.
RANGE SEVEN, TOWNSHIP SIX— Co»/inue</.
259
Lot.
Acres.
Subdivision
Datk of Deed.
Name.
81
65
. Nov. 17, 1838.
David Jerman.
81
SO
s m i)t . .
. July 1. 1838 . .
Abraham Van 'l\n-l.
81
60
m i^t . . . .
. lunc 25, 1842.
Mile M. Baker.
81
100
n 111 pt . .
. Jan. 15. 1842. .
Hosea P. Ostrander.
81
100
n i)t . . . .
. Feb. 7. 1838. .
Alanson P. Morton.
S2
120
s pt
. Jul)- 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman
82
.SO
s m pt . .
. March 28. 1843
Moses T. Thompson.
82
so
m pt. . . .
Dec. 29, 1838..
Milo M. Baker.
82
91
n-e pt . . .
March 10, 1838
Alanson P. Morton.
82
49
n-w pt . .
Oct. I I, 1837..
David Witherel.
86
160
c pt . . . .
Dec. 30, 1836..
Samuel Churchill.
86
50
m pt. . . .
Oct. 20, 1843. •
Jacob Le Roy.
86
183
vv pt . . . .
July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
87
105
■'^ pt
. Oct. 23, 1840..
Everet Van Buren.
87
100
m pt. . . .
Aui^. 4, 1856. .
Charles C. Empson.
87
131
n pt
. July 18, 1839..
P. C. Sherman.
88
2SS
\y\
. March 15. 1851
Frederick Whittlesey.
8q
100
e pt
. June 2, 1838. .
John Van Pelt.
8q
97
m pt. . . .
Oct. 6. 1838.. .
Amos Stranbro.
89
30
s-w m pt
Ma)' 26, 1855..
John Shear.
89
30
n-w m pt
. Oct. 15. 1853..
L. V. Nicholas
89
75
w pt . . . .
. Nov. 18, 1839.
Charles Prini^le.
90
70
s-e pt . . .
. June 29, 1832.
Eleanor Curtis.
90
72
s-w })t. . .
. Jul)- 1, 1838...
Abraham Van Tu\-1.
90
100
m pt. . . .
. Dec. I r, 1840 .
James Wheeler.
90
60
n m pt. .
. Sept. 27, 1854.
Levi Wheeler.
90
60
n pt . . . .
. Dec. 20, 1838.
Isaac Nichols
91
50
s-e pt . . .
. Jan. 24 1843..
Jeremiah Richard so n .
91
50
s-e m pt .
. Jan. 31. 1838..
Jeremiah Richardson.
9<
45
n-e m pt.
. Dec. I I, 1840 .
James Wheeler.
91
55
n-e pt . . .
. June 15, 1848.
Jeremiah Richardson.
91
SO
n-w m pt
. Dec. 29, 1836..
Jeremiah Ricliardson.
81
83
w pt . . . .
.1 May 25, 1839..
Jeremiah Richardson.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN RANGE SEVEN.
60
83
150
50
ISI
spt ..
s-w pt
m pt.
n pt .
s pt ..
Jan. 8. 1839..
Feb. 22, 1836
April [, 1839.
Nov. 8, 1839 .
Jan. 28, 1837.
Carlos Emmons.
Carlos Emmons.
D. H. Chandler.
Varney In gal Is.
Varnev Ingalls.
26o NAMES OF PARTIES TAKINO DEEDS
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVE^—Coiilmiied.
OT.
1
Acres.
2
50
2
50 1
2
75
317
4
169
4
119
4
50
5
25
s
SO
5
16
5
25
5
50
S
116
5
50
6
121
6
50
6
60
6
90
7
60
7
40
7
50
7
50
7
50
7
50
7
52
7
52
<s
100
8
66
8
50
8
50
8
52
9
241
9
100
lO
26
lO
34
lO
33
lO
114 1
lO
114 '
I I
100
e m pt . . .
w m pt. . .
n pt
\\- 1
e»2)t
m &n-w pt
s-w pt . . . .
s-e pt . . . .
.s-e m pt . .
e ni pt . . .
s-w pt . ...
s-w m pt.
n m pt . . .
n pt
•'^ pt
e m pt . . .
n-e pt . . . .
n-w pt . . .
s-e pt . . . .
S-A\' pt . . . .
w m pt . . .
e m pt . . .
m pt
n m pt . . .
n m pt . . .
n pt
■^ pt
c m pt
w m pt. . .
n-e m pt. .
n pt
^ pt
n pt
s-e pt . . . .
s m pt . . .
m pt
n pt
s-w pt . . .
^■-e pt . . . .
Name.
March 10, 1824
March 10, 1824
March 16, 1836
June 17, 1835.
Feb. 24, 181 5..
Dec. 20, 18^7..
Dec. 21, 1848..
Dec. 29, 1849 •
Nov. 22, 1838.
March 25, 1854
Dec. 30, 1854..
July 18, 1839..
March 25, 1854
Ma)^ 24, 1842. .
July 18, 1839..
Dec. 29, 1835 .
Feb. 12, 1836 .
April I, 1839..
Aug. 26, 1830.
Oct. 14, 1835 ..
Feb. 8, 1832.. .
Dec. 29, 1838..
Nov. 7, 1836. .
March 27, 1846
Jan. 7, 1837.. ■
Jan. 7, 1837...
Dec. 31, 1836. .
Dec. 31, 1838..
June 14, 1839 ■
June 20, 1849.
Jan. 5, 1837...
July 18, 1839..
June 2},, 1855.
Feb. 23, 1853 .
Feb. 23, 1854 .
Feb. 23, 1853..
Jan. 3, 1837...
March 14, 1842
Jan. 20, 1848. .
I Trustees of 1st Con-
- gregational Church,
( Concord.
\ 1st Baptist Society
( of Concord
Jedediah H. Lathrop.
Jedediah H. Lathrop.
Jonathan Townsend,
Amaziah Achniune.
Phineas Scott.
J. O. Canfield.
Reuben C. Drake.
Reuben C. Drake.
Phineas Scott.
Pardon C. Sherman.
Elam Booth.
Parley Martin.
Pardon C. Sherman.
Oliver Needham.
Sellick Canfield.
Daniel H. Chandler.
Hosea E. Potter.
Hosea PL. Potter.
John Brooks.
Lemuel H. Twitchell.
P. B. Brush.
George Winship.
Peter Bradley.
George Winship.
William Dye.
Worcester Holt.
Palmer Skinner.
Ira Woodward.
Ebenezer Drake.
Pardon C. Sherman.
Abraham Van Tu\-L
Samuel Wheeler,
(i W. Hawkins.
Ely Page, Jr.
Varncy Ingalls.
Peter Cook.
Phineas Scott.
FROM rilE HOLLAND COMPANY.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEN— CV«//««<.y/.
261
Lot. Acres Subdivision Date of Deed
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
8
8
8
8
8
9
9
9
20
131
90
100
100
lOI
33
100
143
106
107
58
50
100
8
3«
30
50
24
50
29
40
60
50
52
54
50
50
60
40
50
61
100
158
41
41
116
64
64
66
1 12
1 12
167
n-e pt . .
w pt . . .
s-e pt . .
.s-w pt . .
n-\\' pt .
n-c pt . .
s pt...
m pt. . .
II pt .
.s-\v pt .
.s-e pt . .
m pt . . .
n pt. . .
.s-e pt . .
.s-\v pt . .
s pt . . .
s m pt .
s m pt .
ni pt . . .
m pt . . .
n m pt .
n ni pt .
n pt . . .
.s-e pt . .
s-\v pt .
s m pt .
m pt . . .
n m pt .
n pt . . .
s pt...
s pt . . .
III pt . . .
n pt . . .
s-e pt . .
-s-w pt .
Ill &; n-e pt
n m pt .
n-\v pt .
e pt . . .
Ill pt . . .
w pt . . .
e pt . . .
Name.
March 17, 1855
Oct. 30, 1837.
Jan. 7, 1839..
Jan. 7, 1850. .
Sept. 28, 1850
Dec. 24, 1836
July I, 1838..
Nov. 26, 1842
Aug. 26, 1853
Mar. 18, 1852
Feb. I, 1849.
14, 1835.
14, 1835.
17- 1853
10, 1853
7. 1835.
21, 1838
20, 1829.
Oct.
Oct.
Dec.
Dec.
Aug.
Dec.
Jan.
Sept
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Feb.
Dec.
Nov.
Nov.
Oct.
29.
29,
29,
■9'
1845
1836
1836
1836
1 84 1
29, 1836
3, 1839- •
28, 1836
4, 1854.
I, 1836.
8, 1856.
8, 1856.
I, 1853..
June 28, 1855
Jan. 3, 1837. .
Jan.
Dec.
1837-
„i, 1836
Dec. 9, 1835.
April 26. 185 I
Nov 4, 1836.
Sept. 2, 1828.
Jan. 12, 1839.
May 10, 1839
Amasa Loveridge.
Lewis M. Trevitt
Phineas Scott.
Phineas Scott.
Phineas Scott.
01i\'er Arnold.
Thadeus Heacocks.
Abial D. Blodgett.
Thadeus Heacocks.
William L. Adams.
Uriah D. Pike.
Theodore H. Potter.
Hosea E. Potter.
Hosea E. Potter.
T. H. Potter.
William Twichell.
Solomon P. P'ield.
H. E. Potter.
Lemuel Twichell.
Jacob LeRoy.
Joseph Potter.
George W. Thurber.
Hezekiah Drake.
Christiana Bridgeman.
Lewis Janes.
William Potter.
William Potter.
George W. Drake.
Wheeler Drake.
M. D. Scott,
Marvin Hartman.
Amasa Loveridge.
Samuel W. Algar.
Clark Carr.
Josiah Alger.
James Tyrer.
Benjamin Trevitt.
Sally Martin.
Joseph M. Spaulding.
Jonathan Spaulding.
F. B. Marvin.
J. r. (j. .Spaulding.
262 NAMES OF PARTIES TAKING DEEDS
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVEN— Con/im^ed.
Lor.
ACKES.
20
84 i
20
83
21
50
21
114
21
100
21
64
22
123
22
TOO
22
100
23
50
23
103
23
99
23
•53
23
50
24
50
24
50
24
41
24
50
24
25
24
50 ;
2S
100 i
25
50
25
50
25
50
25
71
26
150
26
so
26
107
26
50
27
45
27
79
27
100
27
100
28
1 1 [
28
80
28
100
28
46
28
45
29
148
29
202
30
115
m pt.
w pt .
s-e pt
n-e pt
s-\v pt
n-\v pt
s pt .
m pt .
n pt .
s-e pt
e m pt
s-w pt .
w in pt
n-w pt
s m pt
s-w pt
e m pt
^\^ m pt
n-c pt .
n-w pt
s pt..
n-c pt .
n-w pt
n m pt
w m pt
s pt. . .
n-e pt .
m pt .
n-w pt
e pt . .
c m pt
m pt. .
w pt. .
s-e pt .
n-e pt .
m pt. .
s-w pt .
n-w pt
spt...
n ])t . .
s pt. . .
Names.
Dec.
Apri
Dec.
Dec.
Mar.
Apri
July
Dec.
Mar.
Dec.
July
Sept.
July
July
July
July
Jan.
Dec.
Nov.
Jan.
Jan.
Nov.
Oct.
Nov.
Oct.
Jan.
July
Nov.
Mar.
July
July
Jan.
Aug.
Jan.
Dec.
Oct.
Feb.
Apri
Dec.
Jan.
Auo.
3I; 1836
1 I, 1839.,
2, 1839.
12, 1835
8, 1823.
1 I, 1839.,
I, 1838.,
26, 1839
24, 1823
4. 1838.,
18, 1839
. 21, 1836,
I, 1838..
I, 1838.,
I, 1838.,
I, 1838..
3. 1837...
31, 1838,
15, 1 84 1 .
7, 1836. . ,
12, 1839..
1 , 1 84 1 . .
20. 1855. .
24. 1855.
9. 1844 ••
7, 1839...
12, 1851 .
2. 1855..
17- 1855-
1, 1838...
26, 1856..
7, 1839...
I I, 1812.
28, 1857..
31, 1836 .
15,1835..
6, 1836 ..
I I, 1839. .
14, 1820 .
15, 1842. .
23. 1851.
Hira C. Lusk.
Daniel H. Chandler.
Benjamin Trevitt.
Healey Freeman.
Benjamin Trevitt.
Daniel Chandler.
A. Van Tuyl.
Isaiah Pike.
Isaiah Pike.
Isaiah Pike.
P. C. Sherman.
Lewis Trevitt.
A. Van Tuyl
A. Van Tuyl.
A. Van Tuyl.
A. Van Tuyl.
Samuel Fosdick.
Wm. Curran.
John S Fosdick.
Ebenezer Ellis
¥ B. Marvin.
Pliny Wheeler.
James Tyrer.
James Ouinn.
Joseph Dennison.
Horace U. Soper.
T. M. Briggs.
James Tyrer, Jr.
Benjamin Trevitt, Jr.
A. Van Tuyl.
Carlos Emmons.
H. U. Soper.
Samuel Eaton.
Carlos Emmons.
Asa R. Trevitt.
Everett P'isher.
Emery Sampson.
T. A. Canfield.
John Andrews.
\ A. R. Trevitt & Levi
( Ballon, Jr.
Andrew Adams.
FROM Till-; HOLLAND COM I'AW.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN. RANGE SEVEN— (Vw/Zw/W.
Names.
265
Lot.
Acres.
Subdivision.
Date of Deed.
30
108
ni pt
lulv I, 1838.. .
30
53
n-c ])t . . . .
Dec. 18, 1835 .
30
53
n-w pi . .
April I, 1839. •
3>
50
s-c pt . . . .
; Sept. 21, 1836.
3'
50
s-c m pt. .
1 AiifT. I I. 1845 ■
31
60
c m pt . . .
Mar. 27, 1834..
31
47
n-c pt. . . .
Jan. 23, 1839..
31
51
s-w m pt .
Sept. 13. 1845
31
50
.<-\v pt . . . .
Nov. 19, 1853.
31
100
n-w pt . . .
Auo-. ,. ,838..
32
100
M^t
' April I, 1839. •
32
49
.^ ni pt . . .
Jan. 10. 1857..
32
60
n ni pt . . .
(Jet. 14, 1842..
33
120
spt
Sept. 16, 1822.
33
60
e m pt . . .
Dec. 29, 1836. .
33
60
w m pt . . .
Dec. 29, 1836 .
33
129
n pt
Aui;-. 18. 1825 .;
34
100
•M^t
June 25, 1838.
34 !
79
e m pt . . .
' July 22, 1833..!
34
21
\\' \w i)t. . .
July 22, 1833.. 1
34
55
m pt
July I, 1838...;
34
52
n m pt . . .
Sept. 10, 1840.
35 ,
200
c & n-c pt
Nov. 29. 1836.'
35
50
.s m pt . . .
Julys, 1839...;
35
•15
w pt
July 18, 1839..
36 '
50
.s-c pt . . . .
Mar. 20, 1833 .'
36
50
n-c pt . . . .
Oct. 20, 1843. •
36
100
c m pt . . .
July 18, 1839 ■
36
101
cm pt . . .
July 1. 1842. . .
36 1
87
w m pt.. .
May 24, 1843. .
36
80
w pt
Dec. 17, 1839 •
37 ;
100
n pt
Feb. 2, 1855 . .
37 :
50
•'^ pt
Dec. 15. 1855..
n
30
s m pt . . .
Dec. 15. 1855 .
37 ^
100
n pt
Sept. 8, 1855..
38 i
122
.s-w pt . . .
Feb. 2. 1855. .'
38 1
52
n-e pt.. . .
Mar, 31, 1854.
^l \
119
n-w pt . . .
April 1 1, 1845.
38
150
s-e pt . . . .
Nov. I, 1840. .
]
A. Van Tu\l.
Ezek. Adams.
D. H. Chandler.
Lewis Trevitt.
Joseph Hawkins.
Lewis Trevitt.
Alphonso Cross.
Jacob Le Roy.
Truman Vanderlip.
\ D. Burr and T. T.
( Sherwood.
Daniel H. Chandler.
Truman Vanderlip.
\ Francis H. Tattu and
) M. M. Tattu.
Lewis Nichols.
Calvin Johnson.
Joshua Steel.
Ezekiel Goodell
Israel Sly.
Zeb. Simmonds.
Luke Simonds.
A. V^an Tuye.
Phineas Peabody.
Emery Sampson .
William Sampson.
P. C. Sherman.
Emery Sampson.
Jacob Le Roy.
P. C. Sherman.
Thomas Pound.
Lat^rand W. Douglass
Emery W. Sampson.
Ciilbert C. Sweet.
C hristopher Brick.
Thomas Thiel.
Jonathan Stearns.
Gilbert C. Sweet.
Truman Vanderlip.
Urial Torrey.
Ezekiel .Adams.
.•264 NAMES OF PARTIES TAKIXCi DEEDS
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVEN— Con/inufd.
Lot, Acres Subdivision. Date of Deed
39
372
39
50
40
50
40
50
40
50
40
93
40
100
41
100
41
80
41
62
41
70
42
40
•42
40
42
10
42
307
42
100
43
87
43
32
43
63
43
107
44
50
44
52
44
121
44
50
44
50
45
100
45
50
45
50
45
50
45
50
45
50
46
55
46
58
46
47
46
75
46
50
46
52
47
235
47
50
47
50
47
75
48
67
e s & w pt
n-e pt . . .
s-e pt . . .
s-w pt . . .
\v m pt . .
n-e j)t . . .
n-w pt . .
e pt . . . .
e m pt . .
\v m pt . .
w pt . . . .
s-c pt ...
.s m pt . . .
n-e pt . . .
w m pt . .
w pt . . . .
e pt . . . .
e m pt . .
m pt . . . .
w m pt . .
w m pt . .
w m pt . .
e pt ....
e m JO t . .
m pt
s pt
s w pt . .
ni pt ...
m pt . . . .
n m ])t . .
n j)t ....
.s-e pt . . .
c m pt . .
n-e pt . . .
.s-\v pt . . .
w ni i)t . .
n-w pt . .
s & w pt .
.s & m pt
n-e pt . . .
n-e pt . . .
.s-e pt . . .
Feb. 3, 1834 ..
April I, 1839. .
March 5, 18 10.
Sept. I, 1855..
Oct. 24, 1851 . .
Jan. 5, 1856. . .
Jan. 26, 1853 . .
July I, 1838 . .
Feb. 1 1, 1856. .
July 18, 1839. .
Nov. 5' 1855 ..
Dec. 21, 1836. .
Dec. 21, 1836 .
April 8, 1856. .
Oct. 5, 1853...
Dec. 21, 1841 .
Nov. I, 1841 . .
Nov. I, 1 84 1 . .
Nov. I, 1 84 1 . .
Feb. 19, 1853..
Oct. 3, 1841 .. .
Nov. I, 1841 . .
April I, 1839. •
Dec. 27, 1837..
Aug. 31, 1853.
Jan. 20, 1855. .
Sept. 6, 185 I . .
May 3, 1856 ..
Oct. I I, 1S56. .
Sept. 6, 1 85 I . .
Oct. 10, 1837. •
Sept. I, 1856. .
March 17, 1855
March 27, 1852
April 14, 1855.
Oct. 29, 1849. .
No\-. 1, 1841 . .
Jul)- 18, 1839. .
July 8, 1842 . .
Dec. 16, 1842..
July I, 1838..
April I, 1839. •
Names.
Benjamin Dole.
Daniel H. Chandler.
Thomas M. Barret.
George Myer.
P. Hagelbergier & wife.
George Barrett.
Jacob Myers.
Abraham Van Tuyl.
William S. Fessenden.
Pardon C. Sherman.
John Nichols
Luke Simonds.
Zebedee Simonds.
Ira N. Fuller.
Ezra H. Heath.
Jasper Tabor.
John Healands,
J. How.
Isaac Woodward.
William Bates.
James Collvil.
Alexander Richley.
D. H. Chandler.
William Andre.
George Vance.
Jacob Heavy.
Zacheus H. Preston
Thomas Thiel.
John L Unger.
Jonathan Stevens.
Truman Vanderlip.
George Roth.
Ira Stebbins,
Ira Stebbins.
Nicholas Reading.
Orvilla Kirby.
William Horton.
P. C. Sherman.
Michael Hagelberger.
(jeorge Myers
Abraham Van Tuvl.
D. H. Chandler.
I
I'ROM Till'; IlOLl.AXD ('OMI'AW.
TOWNSHIP SEVEN, RANGE SEVENS— Co?innitfd.
265.
Lot
Acres.
Subdivision.
Date ok D ed.
Names.
48
48
48
48
50
50
s-c pt . . . .
n-e 111 pt . .
n-\v m pt .
!1-\V pt . . .
April 5. 1839..
April 5, 1839. •
Dec. 20, 1838..
April I, 1839. •
Ira Woodard.
Benjamin Rathbun. jr.
Daniel Morton.
D. H. Chandler.
SOCIETIES.
Concord has eight beneficiar}- and secret societies besides a
lodge of Free Masons located as follows: five at Springville,
two at Woodward Hollow and one at East Concord. The fol-
lowing statistics relate to the several lodges :
E. A. v., SPRIN(;VILLE UNION NO. 36.
This society was instituted in December, 1879, with twelve
charter members ; present membership, 112. The following is
a list of the original officers ; James N. Richmond, President ;
Mrs. A. Blackam, Vice-President ; Mrs. E. S. Van Valkenburg,
Auxiliary ; William Stone, Treasurer ; A. R. Taber, Secretary;
A. J. Moon, Accountant ; George R. Clark, Chanc; A. L.
Vaughan, Advocate ; Rev. E. T. Fox, Chaplain ; P. A \'an
\'alkenburg. Watchman ; William Blackam, Warden.
A (). U. W., SPRINCVII.LE LODGE, NO I 55
The lodge was organized Jan. 28, 1878, with seventeen orig-
inal members ; charter members, forty-one ; present member-
ship, fifty-seven. The following were the original officers : W.
H. Warner. M. W.; R. W. Tanner, G. T. R.; Philip Herbold,
O.; George H. Barker, R.; George B. Clark, T.; John P. Myers.
Receiver.
R. T. OF r., S1'RIN(;\ ILLE COUNCIL. NO. 5 I.
Organized June 21. i87iS. with fourteen charter members:
present membership, 135. The original officers were; J. W.
Reed. S. C; L. D. Chandler. V. C; W. H. Jackson. P. C; A.
F. Bryant, Chap.; Miss Ida Reed. Sec: X H. Thurber. Treas.;
J. B. Flemings. Herald ; Miss Lizzie Billings. (luard ; N. G.
Churchill, Sen.
266 BENEFICIARY SOCIETIES.
C. M. B. A. (Catholic Mutual Benefit Association), LOCATED AT
SFRINGVILLE.
The Association was organized in the Spring of 1879, with
twenty-one charter members ; present membership, the same.
The original officers were: Peter Weismantel, Pres.; Frank
Weismantel, First Vice-Pres.; Nicholas Rassell, Second Vice-
Pres.; Fred Fox, Treas.; John Bolender, Cor. Sec; Camille
Hugel, F"in Sec; Marshall Demult, Marshal; Jacob Heire,
Guard ; Victor Collard, Nicholas Rassell, Peter Heire, Matthew
Metzler and Sigismund Schewrtz, Trustees.
G. A. R. — (T<ARY POST, NO. 87, LOCATED AT SPRIXGVILLE.
Organized Aug. 15, 1881 ; charter members, eighteen; pres-
ent membership, twenty. The original officers were: H. P.
Spaulding, Commander; J. P. Meyers, S. V. C; J. Oswald, J.
V. C; O. M. Morse. Adj't ; E. L. Hoops, Q. M. George H
Barker, O. D.; S. E. Spaulding. O. G.; W. H. Agard, Chap.
C. VVaite, Surgeon; E. D. Bement, S, M.; \V. H. Warner, Q.
M. Sergt.
E. A. C, EAST CONCORD UNION, NO. I 50.
Instituted Sept. 14, 1880; charter members, sixteen; present
membership, forty-six. The original officers were James Crans-
ton, Chan.; Sterling Titus, Advocate; George L. Stanbro.
Pres.; Charles Spencer, Vice-Pres.; B. E. VanSlyke, Aux.; L.
A. Stanbro. Treas.; Libbie M. Van Slyke, Sec; Amelia Hor-
ton, Acct.; Annis Titus, Chap.; Sarah Baker, Warden ; Morris
Baker, Sen.; Edward Bayless, Watchman.
E. O. M. A., LAST CHANCE LODGE, NO. 93, WOODWARD HOLLOW.
Instituted May 28, 1879; charter members, twenty-seven;
present membership, thirteen. Original officers ; George W.
Briggs, Pres.; Job Woodward, Vice-Pres.; Charles Hartley,
Rec Sec; Layton M. Goodcll, Fin. Sec; Philo Woodward,
Treas.; C. C. Alger, Chap.; Charles Kn()wles, C; Myron E.
Palmerton. 1. G.; Josiah Woodward, O. G.; W. M. Woodward,
P. P.
E. A. C, CONCORD C.NION NO. IO3, WOODWARD HOLLOW.
Instituted Ma\' 28, 1 880 ; charter members, twent}'; present
NKWSI'AI'KkS. 267
niciTibcrsliip, thirty, (^n'^inal officers: William Woodward
Chan.; Isaac Woodward, Adxocatc ; l\rry T Scott, Pros,
(amcs L. Tarbox, Vicc-Pres ; Mianda Tarbox. Aux.; Philo
Wootluard. Trcas ; W. G. Clark, Sec ; Mrs. Viola Woodward.
Acct.; Mrs. Susan Scott, Chap; Albert Potter, Warden; Mns,
Anna Woodward, Sen.; Andrew Geif^er, Watchman.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper in the town was the Springville Expriss,
l)ublished by E. H. Hough, commencing in 1844, continuing
four years.
The Springville Herald was started May 4, 1850, and had a
long and influential career, ardently advocating the principles
of tlie Whig and Republican parties. E. D. Webster & Co,
were the founders, but after the second week Mr. Webster
assumed the sole proprietorship, holding it until December,
1856, when he disposed of the establishment to J. B. Saxe.
The latter continued to publish the paper until 1863, when, on
account of the excessive cost of publishing in war times and to
devote himself to the ministr\- and to agriculture, he discon-
tinued the paper.
The American Citi'^cii, started in 1855, was published during
the presidential campaign of 1856 by E C Saunders.
The Poiiiy Weekly, a local paper, diminutix'e in size, was pub-
lished by W. A. P'errin several months in 1858.
In January, 1864, Augustine W. Ferrin, who formerl\' had
assisted Mr. Saxe in editing the Herald, returned discharged
from the army, in which he had served faithfully until physi-
cally disabled. Leasing Mr. Saxe's office and procuring con-
siderable new material, he started the Chro>neU\ wliich he pub-
lished until March, 1865, when he was attracted to Buffalo to
fill the position of city editor of the Express.
The establishment was then leased b)- N. H. Thurber, who
from March, 1865, until Januar\-, 1866, published the 'fribiine.
Mr. Ferrin then bought the material and took it to Plllicott-
\ille, founding the Cattaraitii^ns Repitblieaii.
W. W. Blakcly started the Springville Journal March 16,
1867, and has continued the publication ever since. Receiving
from Mr. Saxe the old files of the Herald, he resolved to per-
268 NEWSPAPERS.
petuate the name of the respected predecessor, and therefore
re-christened his "p^.'^er Journal and Herald. J. H. Melven be-
came a partner in the enterprise in November, 1867, and con-
tinued as such until March, 1873, v\hen he sold his interest to
his partner.
The Students Repository was for several months, be<^inning"
in 1867. published in the interest of Griffith Institute by W. R.
De Puy and J. H. Melven.
The Local Ncivs, edited and published by J. H. Melven, long
connected with the Herald 3.nd other papers, and F. G. Meyers,
was started in Springville, Nov. 9, 1879, ^'''<^ i"^ ^till jDublished
b)' the same parties.
The first power printing press arrived in Springville in
August, 188I, for printing the Journal and Herald. In Octo-
ber, 1883, Melven & Meyers procured one for the "Loeal Neivs.
The people of this and surrounding towns have shown their
appreciation of local papers by giving a generous support.
One of the strongest indications of the town's growth, prosper-
ity and intelligence is the fact that about three thousand copies
of these local papers, the Journal and Herald ?ind Loeal Neivs,
are issued every week.
liKXiRAI'ilK AI, SKKICIIKS. 269
CHAPTER XVI.
FAMILY HISTORIES OF THE TOWN OF CONCORD.
IAMIL\ II [STORIES.
The family histc^rics that fcjllow the general history of each
town in this volume have been compiled at an expenditure of
much time and labor. Diligent care has been exercised to
make them correct, but, notwithstanding, in some cases desir-
able data has not been obtainable, and some errors and omis-
sions seem unavoidable.
It has been the general aim not to indulge very much in
eulogy, but to present the facts and let the reader draw his own
conclusions.
Much space has been allotted to family records, not only to
furnish general information, but to enable successive genera-
tions to trace their genealogy.
Much of the matter relating to pioneer times and other
topics has been placed in connection with the family histories,
as the relations of the persons with it seems to make it a more
suitable ])lace to insert it.
Ainaziali A.shinaii.
Amaziah Ashman was born in Connecticut, in 1783. From
there, he removed to Ontario county, and resided in the Town
of West Bloomfield some years. He came from that place to
this town in 1809. and located land on lot 4, township seven,
range seven, on Townsend hill. He moved his family here in
May, 1 8 10. John Stuart and his wife, another young married
couple, came out with Ashman and remained one year and then
went back. It took them three da}-s to come from Buffalo to
Townsend hill. They had to cut their own road part of the
way. The\' built a small house or shanty, covered with bark,
and moved into it — -without floors, door or windows.
At that time, there were no families either east or west
nearer than ten miles, and the nearest on the north were at
270 inOGRAl'HICAL SKETCHES.
Boston, and, f)n the southeast, at or near Sprhigville. Mr.
Ashman taught school occasionally in earh' time. He also
kept hotel for a few years on his farm on Townsend hill. He
served as a soldier on the Niagara frontier in the war of 18 12-
15, and was in skirmishes and engagements on both sides of
the river. He was once taken prisoner. He was at the burn-
ing of Buffalo. He was Town Clerk the first year after the
Town of Concord was organized, and when it contained Con-
cord, Sardinia, Collins and North Collins, and was elected to
that ofifice si.xteen years in succession. He also held the oflfice
of Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, and frequently pre-
sided at town meetings. For the first twenty-five years after
its organization, he was one of the leading men of the town.
He cleared and owned a large farm, on which he resided until
he died, in i85i. He was seventy-eight years of age at the
time of his death.
His wife. Thankful Ashman, died March 14, 1881, in the
ninety-fourth year of her age. She was a resident of this town
about seventy-one years, which is a longer period than any
other person ever lived here who was twent}'-one years of age
when they came.
Their children were :
John H., born 181 1 ; married Frelove King; for second wife.
Sally Turner, died in Illinois, September 1874.
Hannah, born 1813; married Augustus Bonnel ; lives in
Illinois.
Alonzo Curtis, born 1815; married Hannah Tj-rer ; lives in
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Ariette, born 1818; married first, Thurber, second, Saunders;
died in 1854.
Malvina, born I820; married John V'^arren ; he is dead, she
lives in East Otto.
Sarah, born 1822; married Samuel Wheeler; lives in this
town.
Levi, born 1825; died young.
Alma, born 1828; married Cyrus Hurd ; lives in Kl.ma, this
county.
Alzora, born 1832 ; married Norman Cook ; died in 1855.
Helen, born 1834; died 1845.
HKXiKAI'IUCAI. SKKICUKS. 2y\
John Albi'o.
]o\\\\ Alhi'o, one of the two first settlers in this town, was
born in Rhode Island, in 1776; in 1792, he remo\'ed to Sara-
toga count\% N. v., and from there he enii<^rated to the Town
of Concord, in 1807. He first located on lot forty-one, town-
ship seven, rant^^e six, b\' the bi^ sprin<j^ where Luzerne Katon
now li\'es. Wlien he first canie to this town, his famil}- con-
sisted of his wife and three children — Emery D., Malvina and
Maria. In the Summer of 180S, Mrs. Albro died ; at that time
there was only one other famil\- in the Town of Concord, that
of Chrif^topher Stone, who li\'ed about where Mr. Joslyn's
family Wvc now, and there were no families h'vn'ni^ in an\' of the
adjoining towns except Boston. At that time, there was no
minister living an}'where in this part of the country, and the
best that could be done to gi\e Christian burial to the departed
was to send to Boston for Deacon Richard Cary, who came ten
miles through the woods, accompanied b\- some of his neigh-
bors, to lead in the funeral serx'ices.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Albro went East and re-
turned the second Spring. He married a second wife in Pitts-
tord, Monroe county, N. V. He did not remain on lot number
lorty-one but a short time, when he purchased the north part
of lot eight, township six, range six, now within the corpora-
tion, and moved onto it. He built him a log house near where
the old hay-barn now stands, on the east side of BufTalo street,
just south of the forks of Sharp street and the Tounsend Hill
roads. He kept ta\'ern there and cleared up a farm. The first
town meeting lield in the Town of Concord, when it contained
.Sardinia, Concord, (^)llins and North Collins, was held at John
Albro's log tavern, in 1S12. The first school ever taught in
the Town of Concord was taught b}' Anna Richmond, in the
Summer of 18 10, in a small log barn of Mr. Albro's that stood
on the west side of Buffalo street, nearly opposite his house.
Mr. Albro lived in this town over twenty years, when he sold
out his farm to Mr. Jlewett and remoxed to Gowanda, where
he kept hotel several years, h'rom there he removed to Wayne,
Du Page county, Illinois, in 1S53, where he died Feb. 2, 1861,
at the age of eighty-five years. His second wife died at the
2/2 BIOGRArillCAL SKETCHES.
house of her daughter in ]-5uffa!o, Jan. 4. 1862, aged sevent\-
five years. Her chikh'en were Ira, Ehza C, James R., Augus-
tus G., Almyra. Jerome B. and Harriet C.
Emory D. Albro resided in this town, but died in Wyoming-
county.
Malvina died in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Maria married Harry Keeny, and died in Warsaw, Wyoming
county.
Jerome B. went as a soldier, and died in the hospital in
Annapolis, Md.
Ira Aibro is a prosperous farmer in Wa)'ne, Du Page county,
Illinois.
James R. is a farmer and lives in Clymer, Chautauqua county,
N. Y.
Augustus G. is a farmer and li\'es in New Brighton, Bea\er
county, Penn.
Harriet C. married John Benson and died in Buffalo.
Almyra died in Gowanda, Cattaraugus county.
Emory I). Albro.
Emory D. Albro was born in Saratoga county, in 1802, and
was brought to this town by his parents in 1807 ; he was married
to Polly Seymour, May ist, 1824, and removed to Warsaw,
Genesee count}\ In 1828 his wife died. He returned to
Springville in 1851; married Caroline C. Cochran, P"eb. 14
1847. She died April 1, 1879, aged sixt}'-six years, one
month and seventeen days.
Emory D. Albro's children were Elaenor, married to Mr. Bris-
tol. Lives in Gainsville, Wyoming count}'.
Hellen M., died in Buffalo, in 1854, aged twenty-five years.
Gary R., married Olive S. Smith, in Illiiu^is, in 1861 ; died in
1864 ; left one child.
Plumb Albro, born March 26, 1841 ; Dec. 25, [866, was mar-
ried to Ella L. Richardson, at West Concord, by Rev. B. C.
Vanduzee ; have one child — Ellen E. Albro. He died at
Gainsville, April 16, 1881.
Rollin J. Albro, was married to PVancena Barnett, May 5,
1 87 1. He died May 13, 1879, ''"• this village, aged thirty-six
years and six months. Left one child.
BIO(;RAI'ni(AL SKETCHES. 2/3
Lora, married C. C. McClurc, Jr. Tlicy live in Buffalo.
Charles N., lives in Springville, at the old homestead.
Byron C , lives in Canada.
Joshua Aj^ard.
Joshua Al4.ux1 was born April i6, 1789, in Connecticut, where
he was married in March, 18 14, to Lucy Sibley, who was born
fune 18, 1792. lie came to Concord in 1816, and located on
lot sixty-three, township seven, range six, where he lived until
his death, Sept. 18, i860. His wife having died June 9, 1831
he married a second time, Nov. 15, 1831, Mrs. Electa Canfield,
who died Feb. 23, 1880, aged seventy-eight years. By his first
wife he had five children.
Maria, born July 12, 1818 ; married in 1840 to Ira E. Drake.
Mary, born Juh' 25, 1821 ; married in 1842 to Luman
Churchill.
Amelia, born Nov. 9, 1822; married 1847. to Horace Lan-
don ; 1861, to Judson Wait.
Austin, born Jan. 9, 1825 ; married in 1852 to Emily Field.
Hannah, born Oct. 21, 1828; married 1857 to John Hill;
1870 to Marvin Field.
By his second wife he had one daughter, Mellisa, born Apri[
4; 1839 ; married Marvin Field in 1863 ; died April 27, 1865.
Mr. Agard was a prominent man in the early history of the
town. He was assessor for many years and was an officer in
the militia and Deacon of the Baptist church. He was also
Supervisor of Concord.
Kzekicl Adams.
Ezekiel Adams, son of Joseph Adams, was born in the town
of Old Salisbury, Mass., on the i6th -day of Oct.. 17 19. Piis
father was a ship-carpenter by trade, but dying when Ezekiel
was but fifteen years of age, he was left to shift for himself.
When he had reached the age of eighteen years he was appren-
ticed to a Mr. Hale, to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade
The terms of his services were that at the end of his apprentice
ship of three years he was to receive a freedom suit and a set of
tools. Both the agreement and the reward were faithfully
carried out. In the meantime his widowed mother moved to
Plymouth, Grafton county, N. H. As soon or soon after his
1=;
274 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
term of service expired he joined her there. In i8i2,he\vas
married to Miss Mary Hickok. In 1816, on the first day of
May, he left Plymouth in company with a brother-in-law for the
Holland Purchase. They came through horse-back. After
their arrival here and after visiting a few days among friends,
both went to Buffalo to find employment Mr. Adams found
work at his trade on the old Court House, then in course of
construction. He received one dollar per day, x\fter his day's
work was done his evenings were spent in sawing wood for the
villagers, making nearly as much at this as he received for his
daily wages. Mr. Hickok hired out to work on the brick-yard
and by performing the work of two men he received double
pay. After the close of the building season they returned to
Concord and invested their summer's wages in securing a home.
They bought James Pike's claim of 200 acres on the north part
of lot thirty, paying him some $400 for the same (3n it a few
acres were cleared and he had built a small log-house.
That Fall both returned to Plymouth. Early in the new
year Mr. Hickok was married to Miss Roda Pike and soon after
they both set out for their home on the Holland Purchase,
where they arrived on the twenty-eighth day of Feb., 1S17.
They put their horses together and came through with a wagon.
Adams and Hickok divided their claim soon after tlieir return.
Adams taking north one-hundred acres and on this the remain-
der of his days were passed. He died Sept 2, 1847, aged fifty-
five years. His venerable wife survives, aged at the present
writing, nearly ninety-six years. The fruits of this marriage
were four sons and one daughter. Three are living to-da}-. \iz :
Abner C, born April 6, 1820 at Concord.
Andrew, born March 16, 1823, at Concord.
William L., born Sept. 13, 1824, at Plymouth, N. H,
Caroline, born April 28, 1826, at Concord ; died March 2, 1870
Ambrose, born Aug. 10, 1829, at Concord ; died Jul}-, 1882.
A. C. Adams.
A. C. Adams, son of Ezekiel Adams, was born April 6, 1820,
on lot 30, township 7, range 7, and lived with his parents until
he was twenty years of age, when he went to Black Rock and
hired out to drive team for ten dollars per month. In the Fall
hto(;rai'iii(AL sketcfies. 275
of 1 84 1, li(j attended school at the Siblc}- settlement to Augus-
tine Sibley, teacher. In the VaW of 1842, he taught school at
Morton's Corners, after which he followed teaching Winters
and working at home Summers until 1850, when he married
Elsie A. Chase, of l^oston. He then moved onto the okl home-
stead and lived there two years, after which he moved to Bos-
ton, where, in company with Truman Vanderlip and Seth T.
Newell, he ran a tanner}' and dry goods store. In 1858, he
commenced surveying, which he has followed ever since. Soon
after he sold out and in company with George A. Moore, of
Buffalo, bought the William Adams place of five hundred
acres, where Norman Moore now lives, which place they ran
for eight years. This he sold and bought the Mills' place,
where he now lives. His children are:
John O., lives at home.
Alvin married Virgie Mason, anci li\es at home.
Jennie L., married Charles Churchill and li\es in Springville.
Carlton, lives at home.
Clinton, lives at home.
Ethan, died about 1872.
Andrew Atlams.
Andrew Adams was born in this town in 1823. His father's
name was Ezekiel Adams ; his mother's maiden name was
MaryHickok; his grandfather's name was James Adams ; his
grandmother's maiden name was Mary Currier. Ezekiel Adams
came to this town from New Hampshire in 1817. He settled
on lot 30, township 7, range 7, where he owned and occupied
land until his death, in 1847. Andrew Adams resides upon the
land which his father settled upon in 1817. He was married
in 1848 to Vanila Francisco. Their children are:
Lenna R.
Leona A., married Milton Trevett.
Clellie M.
Edwin Anwator.
Edwin -Vnwater was born in the town of Collins Oct. 1 1,
1854, lived in North Collins and came to Concord in 1857; his
father's name is David Anwater ; his mother's maiden name,
was Margaretta Basler. Thev emigrated from Wurtemburir
2/6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH HS.
Germany, in 1854; his father and mother are now living with
him ; he is unmarried. The children are :
Edwin, born Oct. 11, 1854.
Mary, born July 18, 1858.
Charles, born Sept. 14, i860.
When Edwin was three years old, one afternoon he went out
into the fields and strayed into the woods. Night came on with
a snow storm, it being in the month of November, The family
and neighbors searched for him until 2 o'clock A. M., and did
not find him. In the morning the search was renewed, and his
mother found him under a log that rested on a stump, he came
out all right and gives this narrative.
Henry Ackley.
Henry Ackley was born in Guilford, Vt., April 26, 18 14. His
father's pame was Henry Ackley; his mother's maiden name
w^as Chloe C. Putnam. Mr. Ackley came to this town when
two years of age with his mother, and Uncle Daniel Putnam,
the latter locating on lot 38, range 7, township 7. Mr. Ackley's
grandfather, Jcssee Putnam, having precceded them in 1 808 or
'09, and located on lot 32, range 7, township 7. He died about
1834 at Pine Grove, Penn. He- was one of our very earliest
pioneer settlers. To illustrate the primitive condition of civil-
ization in the early days of our town, Mr. Ackley relates that
upon the death of his grandmother, Mrs. Putnam, about 1820,
at the residence of his son, Daniel Putnam ; her remains were
placed upon a rude bier and carried by men on foot through
the woods all the way to the Boston cemetery, to be interred.
Mr. Ackle}' has always resided in to\\n and been engaged in
farming, excepting five or six years subsequent to 1842, when
he was employed in Harvey & Weston's tannery, then situ-
ated at what is now known as Fowlerville. He was married in
1835 to Janette Drake. The\' had two daughters:
Eouise, died in 1861.
Emma, married to Alphonso Smith, in 1871.
01iv<M* E. Alger.
01i\er E. Alger was born in the town of Concord, Januarx'
12, 1842; is an engineer by occupation; was married May 10.
1864. to P'lorence J. Hinsey, of Pekin, Tazewell county. 111.
I'.IOC.RAI'IIFCAI, SKKTCHKS. 277-
His father's name was S. W. Alt^cr, wlio was born in the \car
1803, came to Boston, Erie county, N. Y., in 1826, and served his
time as an apprentice with Hatch & Alger, tanners, and settled
in Concord in 1830. His mother's maiden name was Louisa
Carr, who was a dau<^hter of Elder Clark Carr.
David D. Barrett.
Mr. Barrett's father, Thomas M. Barrett, was born at Wood-
stock, Conn., March 20, 1777; from there he moved to the vil-
lage of Schenevus, Otsego county, N. Y., where he was mar-
ried to Hannah Chase, daughter of one of the first settlers of
Otsego, and sister of Judge Chase of that county. In 1810 he
removed with his family to Concord, settling on lot fort}', in the
northwest part of the town. He bought his land of the Hol-
land Company, paying $90 for fifty acres, and taking a deed,
his deed being the first one given for land in the territory com-
prising the present town of Concord, previous settlers simply
having their land articled to them as it was termed. Mr. Bar-
rett came with a span of horses and cut the first road through
from the Boston Valley road on to Horton Hill. When set-
tled in his new home he found himself surrounded for a con-
siderable distance on either side by the primeval forest, as yet
undisturbed by man. He related that in going in search of his
cows, he sometimes found them feeding quieth' in company
with a herd of five or six deer.
Although meager educational prixilcges found Mr. Barrett at
20 years of age with scarcel)' the rudiments of an education ;
his energy and perseverance secured sufficient education so that
he taught school and understood surveying. He brought a
compass with him to Concord, but ne\XM- practiced surve)-ing.
He was the first Supervisor of the original town of Concord,
and held the ofifice eight years. He was also Supervisor of the
present town of Concord eight years. The title of Major he
acquired from the position he held in the militia while a resi-
dent of Otsego count}'. He lived where he first located till his
death in September, 1844. His wife died in 1867 or 1868.
They had a family of twelve children, six girls and six boys.
The five oldest were born in Otsego county : their names were
Betsey, Clarissa, George, Liberty, Manly, Temperance, Josiah,
278 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Hannah, Reuben, lH?iy, Elvira and David. They all lived to
years of maturity, but Reuben and David are the only ones
now living.
David D. Barrett was born March 20, 1829, in Concord, in
which town and Colden he has since been a resident. He is a
farmer by occupation, and in 1882 was the candidate of the
Greenback party for County Clerk. He married Sophina Pike,
daughter of Isaiah Pike. They have no children, except an
adopted daughter.
The Brigg-s Family.
MRS I A I.RIGGS
Captain Samuel Briggs li\-ed in Taunton, Mass., during the
time of the Revolution. In his \-ounger da}-s he was Captain
of a whaling vessel that sailed from New Bedford, Mass. His
wife's maiden name was Ruth Paul. In after years he removed
from Taunton to P'ranklin county, and bought a farm and mills
on Miller river in the town of Orange. On a certain occasion,
during a flood, he was attempting to save some logs which
were going over the dam, when he was struck by one of the
logs and knocked over the dam upon the rocks below and
killed. Captain Tyrer, an early settler in this town who was at
that time a young man and worked for Captain Briggs, ran
down and picked him up and carried him to the house. Cap-
tain Brigg's widow came to this town in 18 16, and lived until
1830, when she died at the age of eighty-five years.
HIOdRAI'IIKAI. SKKTCHKS. 279
His children were five boys: John, Samuel, Shubel, Simeon
and Ephraim A., and three girls : Sylva, Nancy and Ruth. All
of the boys except the youngest lived and died in Massachu-
setts. Sylva married Sylvenus Bates. They moved here in
the winter of 181 1 and 18 12 on an ox-sled from Massachusetts
and settled in Collins where she died. Nancy married John
Cobb. About 18 16, John Cobb with his family came here,
went to Olean and floated down the Allegheny and (3hio and
went up the Wabash to Crawford county, 111., where they set-
tled and lived and died. They had a large family of children.
One of them, Amasa Cobb, enlisted in the time of the Mexi-
can war. After his return he studied law and was elected to
the State Legislature of Wisconsin, first to the Assembly then
to the Senate. When the late war broke out he raised a regi-
ment and was appointed Colonel, and served under McClellan
in the Peninsular campaign, after which he was promoted to
Brigadier General. When he came home he was elected to
Congress twice from Wisconsin. After a few years he removed
to Lincoln, Neb., where he is now one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court.
Ruth married Nathan Godclard.
Ephraim Alien Briggs.
Ephraim Allen Briggs was born in Taunton, Plymouth
county, Mass., in 1783. He went with his parents to Orange,
Franklin county. In 1806, he was married to Sally Townsend,
of the town of New Salem, Franklin county, and they resided
there until 18 15. They had five children born in Massachu-
setts. They came here with horses and wagon, and were four
weeks on the road, and settled on Townsend Hill on the east
part of lot sixty, township seven, range six, and cleared up a
farm. In 1839, they removed to the middle part of the unim-
proved lot fifty-three, township seven, range six, and cleared up
another farm on which the\- resided until his death, which
occurred on the 25th of February, 1 861. He was seventy-eight
years of age at the time of his death. After several years she
went west to visit her children in Wisconsin and Minnesota,
where she died at the residence of her daughter, Sally Briggs
Canfield, in Waseca county, Minn., June 25, 1869.
28o BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
After a long life of useful toil they rest from their labors.
They came here when the country was almost an unbroken
wilderness, and they labored earnestly and continuously and
cleared up two farms, and reared a large family of children.
Although they never possessed a very large amount of this
world's goods, yet they were generous and free-hearted, and no
one in need who desired aid went away from their door empty
handed, and the same might be said of most of the old pion-
eers. My mother always enjoyed excellent health, and she
endured and accomplished very much, beside doing the neces-
sary household work and caring for a large family of children
she spun and wove and frequently consumed the mid-night oil
over her work. She carried us all safely through the measles,
scarlet fever and other ailments, and doctors were very seldom
seen at our home. Throughout her life of crowded care she
did not worry or scold, but quietly and pleasantly pursued the
even tenor of her way. She never spoke evil of others, but
always found something in the character of every one that was
entitled to a kind word. In life she "fought the good fight
and kept the faith," and she approached the grave " soothed
and sustained by an unfailing trust in the life to come."
Their children were :
Mary Elvira, born May 9, 1 808.
Ephraim T., born June 8, 18 10.
Sylvia, born August 5, 181 1.
Thomas M., born March 23, 1813.
Jonathan, born Eebruary 12, 1815.
Erasmus, born August 31. 1818.
Suel, born Ajjril 7, 1820.
Sally, March 17, 1823.
Cindcrrella, born October 5, 1825.
Christopher, born March 21, 1828..
Chandler C, born Jul}^ 20, 1830.
Mary Elvira married William Field and died March 19, 1847.
Ephraim T. married Jane Flemings. He was a carpenter and
joiner by trade and also a farmer, and was at one time Captain
of the Springville Rifle Compan)-. He died June 30, 1848,
aged thirty-eight years.
Their children were :
bio(;rai'hical sketches. 281
Jane Ann, George W., Maria S. and Viola.
Jane Ann followed teaching for several years previous to her
marriage and was an excellent teacher. She married William
Baker of Buffalo, and died July 16, 1865, aged thirt\'-t\\o years
and four months.
Maria S. was also a teacher and died Januar)- 31. 1865, aged
nineteen years and nine months.
George W. died young.
Viola married Ira C. Woodward and resides in Springviile.
Sylvia married Stary King.
Thomas M. married Phcebe Spaulding ; he is a farmer, and
resides in La Crosse county, Wisconsin. They reared a family
of seven children — Allen, George, Morris, Adelia, Fayette,
Sarah and Chancey, who are all living in Wisconsin, except
Fayette, who died in 1870.
Jonathan is unmarried, and his principal business has been
teaching here and in the West, in which calling he has been
very successful. When gold was discovered in Colorado he
was among the first who went there to engage in mining. He
is now and has been for several years engaged in teaching in
Garnavillo, Clayton county, Iowa.
Erasmus lives in Springviile.
Suel married Phoebe Ballou ; he is a farmer, and li\es in La
Crosse county, Wisconsin. He has been elected Justice of the
Peace and Supervisor a number of times, and was also once
elected Assemblyman.
Sally married Orville S. Canfield, and lives in Wanseca
county, Minn.
Cindcrrella married William Smith, and died Jul\- 5th, 1874,
aged forty-eight years, nine months.
Christopher married Jane Colburn. He is a farmer, and
lives in West valley, Cattaraugus county. They have one child,
Charlotte, who married John West, and lives near West valley.
Chandler C. married IMioibe J. Woodward, in Concord, Oct.
5, 1853. She was born in North Collins in 1834. He is a far-
mer, and lives near Blue-earth City, Minn. They have two
children :
Arthur A., born July i8th, 1859.
Suel C, born Nov. 29th, 1865.
^82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Julius Benieiit.
Julius Bcment was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1789.
He came to this town from there in 181 1, driving a yoke of
oxen all the way. He stopped in Buffalo three months
and cut cord wood, reaching this town in August. He bought
land on lot 11, range 6, township 7, upon which he always
resided until his death, in 1876. He was married in 1824 to
Sallie Chafee
Their children were :
Diana Bement, married Sherman Jacobs.
Roxana Bement, married Daniel Willson ; reside in Illinois;
farmer.
Lucinda Bement, married Franklin Blake ; reside in Orleans
county, N. Y.; merchant.
Elmore Bement.
Albert Bement, married Esther Twichell ; reside in Golden ;
merchant.
Edward D. Bement, married Sophia Wilson ; reside in
Springville; barber.
Elmore Beineut.
Elmore Bement was born in this town in 1834. At twenty
years of age Mr. Bement went to California via Nicarauga, and
engaged in gold mining, which he pursued for five years, when
he returned via Panama and engaged for two years in the grain
commission business at Chicago. In 1861' he again visited Cal-
ifornia,via the Isthmus, and remained about five years, devoting
his time to gold and silver mining, lumbering and the duties of
a soldier. He was sixteen months in the volunteer service of
the United States army, being attached to Company G, Second
regiment California cavalry. The movements of his regiment
led him into the wilds of Arizona and Nevada. Mr. Bement's
experience and observations on the Pacific slope have been
varied and extensive. He now resides in town and is a farmer.
He was married in 1867 to W'ilhelmina Splattar. They have
three children :
First — Frank C.
Second — George L.
Third— Carlotta M.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 283
Wells Brooks.
Wells Brooks was born in 1804. In an carl\- dax' his parents
came to the town of Boston. Subsequently tiiey removed to
this town. Wells, when a young man, taught school occasion-
ally. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced
his profession for eighteen or twenty years in this town. While
living here he held the office of Justice of the Peace, was twice
elected Member of the A.ssembly, and in 1849 was elected
County Clerk of Erie county, and removed to Buffalo. He
was afterwards elected to the office of Supervisor from
the Tenth ward for several terms. Mr. Brooks was a good law-
yer and possessed fine talents and sound judgment. In all
positions and relations of public life he enjoyed an enviable
reputation, and deserved praise for the fidelity and ability he
manifested in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Brooks married
Helen McMillen, daughter of Joseph McMillen of this town,
Jan. I, [833.
PARENTS.
Wells Brooks, born April 21, 1804: died Dec, 23, 1859.
Helen McMillen, born Nov. 30, 18 14; died Feb. 26, 1872.
CHILDREN.
Imogene, born Sept, 4, 1835; died March 13, 1841.
Preston, born March 17, 1837; died Oct. 23, i860.
Sarah, born Dec. 21, 1S31 ; died June 6, 1^64..
Howard, born Aug. 14, 1839.
Henry Wells, born Nov, 13, 1840.
Willis Herbert, born Jan. 12, 1843.
Helen McMillen, born Dec. 16, 1844.
Henry W. Brook.s.
Henry W. Brooks, son of Wells Brooks and Helen McMillen
Brooks, was born in Springville in 1841. When he was five
years of age his parents removed to Buffalo, where he lived
until 1875, when he became a resident of Springville. He was
one of a family of seven children, three of whom are living —
Henry W., the subject of this sketch, Willis H., who resides in
Kent county, Mich., and Helen M., who married Charles G,
284 BKXiRAPHICAI. SKETCHES.
Coss, and resides in Glean, X. V. The three oldest, Imogene,
Preston and Sarah, are dead. Howard, the youngest, was
drowned near St. Louis, Jul}' 4, 1881.
Henry W. Brooks was married in 1863 to Amanda J. Hart-
man. They have five children living: Robert W., Lillian W.,
Henry \\\ jr.. William M. and Charles \V.
They have lost two — Sarah A. and Loui.sa May.
Eaton Beiisley.
Eaton Bensley was a soldier in the war of 181 2. He came
to this town from Herkimer county, N. Y., in the Spring of
1 8 16, and built a saw mill near the mouth of Spring brook, and
engaged in farming. He resided in town until his death, in
1878. He was twice married, first to Sophia Russell, by wiiom
he had six children, as follows :
John R. Bensley, died when a child.
George E. Bensley, married Anna L. Tanner; is in the grain
commission business at Chicago.
D, Cytherea Bensley, married Rev. L. W. Olney ; reside in
Chicago.
^ S. Vestina Bensley, married x\lanson Chaffee ; both are dead.
John R. Bensley, married Mary A. White, first wife ; Au-
gusta Euller, second wife ; is in the grain commission business
at Chicago.
]-: Sophia Bensley, married Herbert Scoby ; reside in Union-
town, Kansas.
Mr. Bensley's second wife was Agne.s McCaa, by whom he
had seven children, as follows :
^- Agnes L Bensley, married Madison C. Scob}', stock dealer in
Chicago.
Mary J. Bensley, married Elbert Cornwall, first husband ; M.
L. Price, second husband ; United States surgeon, in Texas.
David W. Bensle}', married Luc\- H. Twichell ; hardware
merchant at Springville.
Malona Bensley, died in 1.^59.
Louis K. Bensley, grain shipper at Denison, Iowa.
Katie W. Bensley, resides at Chicago ; is a teacher.
1!I()(;rai'iii(AI. skktcmes. 285
J)jivi<l W. Bi'iishy.
David W. Benslcy was born Nov. 9, 1845, near Springville»
In 1864 he went to Chicay,"o and engaged for eleven years in
the grain business, when he returned to Springville and became
a hardware merchant. He was married in 1^74. They have
four children, as follows: Agnes H., William Iviton, Bernes L.
and Lucy.
Mr. Benslcy's mother, Mrs. Agnes Iknisley, died April 7,
1880, aged sixt)^-seven years ten months.
Mr. D. W. Henslc}- died in the Spring of 1883.
Slam Bootli's Statement.
I came to this town in February, 18 17, was not married at
that time. I came from Tolland county, Conn., with John
Brooks. We came with a yoke of oxen and span of horses,
and were five weeks on the road. We came in the Spring to
the Susquehanna river, Penn., staid there till the next Winter
and then came through by way of Painted Post, Cayuga lake,
Canandaigua and on to Buffalo. We staid at Heacox's tavern
and next day went out to the Indian village and staid over
night. We had to ford one branch of Buffalo creek, the ice
was running. We got stuck in the creek, had to unload part
of our goods, and wade out with them on our backs. Next
day we got as far as Green's tavern, two miles south of Potter's
Corners (Hadwin Arnold place) and staid over night. Next
day came to Boston Corners and staid at Torrey's. Next day
went up to where the State road and the valley road fork where
Brooks had made a location and put up a shanty.
I was born in May, i8oi,and was in mj- sixteenth year. I
taught the first school in the Sibley neighborhood in the Win-
ter of 1817-18, it was not an organized district school for there
was no district organized at that time. I think the Sibley
school house was built about 1821, and I think Mahala Eaton
Mrs. Butterworth) taught the first Summer school in the new
house, and Oliver Needham the first Winter school. I tausfht
the Liberty Pole school in the Winter of '22-'23, the Townsend
Hill school in the Winter of '24-'2 5, and in the Sibley district
in '26-'27.
286 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Booth died Nov. 2, 1882, aged eighty-one years, five
months and eight days.
Warren Booth.
Warren Booth was born in this town September 13, 1836,
His father's name was Elam Booth. His mother's maiden
name was Sibyl Ingalls. He has always resided in town, is a
farmer by occupation. He was married in 1864 to Dora Rob-
inson. Their children are :
Nettie L., born April 10, 1870.
Day E., born Aug. 26, 1878.
Mr. Booth is a member of the A. O. U. W., and Past Select
Counselor of Boston Lodge No. 79, Royal Templar of Tem-
perance.
Morgan L. Batlgley.
Mr. Badgley was born in Cortlandville, Cortland county, in
this State, December 29, 1808. In 1831 he removed to Buffalo-
and was employed in the drug store of Messrs. Pratt, Allen &
Co., and soon thereafter he became one of the proprietors. In
August, 1832, he was married to Miss Harriet A. Colton. In
1835 ^^^ removed with his wife and child to Springville and
entered into business. He came to Springville as the principal
clerk and manager of the business of his brother-in-law, Manly
Colton, then a merchant and the builder and owner of the
mill still known as the Colton mill, on Main street. In 1836-7
Mr. Colton failed as did many others at that time. Mr. Badgley
suffered much by the failure. However he was enabled soon
after to engage in the mercantile business.
By his ability and integrity he soon gained the confidence of
the citizens of this communit}' and prospered in his business to
such an extent that he in the course of time accumulated a
large property. He was in the mercantile business tor a long-
time, and at one time owned the Colton mill. In the latter
part of his life he loaned money and dealt in notes and mort-
gages. He was kind to the poor and persons in sickness and
distress. He and his wife suffered the great affliction of their
lives in the death of their only son Heniy, who died May 10,
1845, aged eleven years and seven months. The shadow cast
by his early death never departed from their lives.
HIOCJKAl'IIU AI. SKETCMKS. 28/
Mr. Badijlcy died March i8, 1878, in the seventieth year of
his age.
Mrs. Badi^ley continues to reside at her home in Springville
Henry M. Blackmar.
The ancestors of the Blackmar famil)' were of En<4iish descent.
The}- located at an early day near the Connecticut River, in
Connecticut, from whence Mr. Blackmar's grandfather, Martin
Blackmar, emigrated to Greenfield, Saratoga county, N. Y.,
about 1780. He was a prominent and influential man and a
surveyor ; possessing talent and skill suflficient to manufacture
his own surveying instruments. He was accidentally shot in
181 2, while hunting bears with others, in the Green Mountains.
The bear-skin cap which he wore being mistaken for a bear, he
became the unfortunate target of a brother hunter.
Mr. Blackmar's father, William Blackmar, was born in Green-
field, Saratoga county, N. Y., Oct., 19, 1805. In Oct., 1825, he
came to Erie county, being a passenger on the first regular
packet-boat that passed over the Erie canal. He li\ed in Ham-
burg three years, where he learned the trade of carpenter and
taught school. In 182 1 he went to Buffalo and served two
years as jailor under Sheriff Lemuel W'asson.
He was married in 1831, to Almira Chafee and followed his
occupation in Buffalo and Hamburg until 1837, when he
moved to Concord, where he has since lixed. He now resides
with his son, Henry M. He has seven children li\ing, resi-
ding in different states.
Henry M. Blackmar was born in Buffalo, Oct. 24, 1831.
When six )-ears of age he came to Concord where he has since
resided. His occupation is farming. Mr. Blackmar takes an
active and prominent part in public affairs. He was Commis-
sioner of Highways eight or nine }'ears and twice, 1 876-1 877,
represented with energy and fidelit}' his town on the Board of
Supervisors.
He was married in 1862 to L\'dia Ferrin. The\- ha\e had
two children :
Helen May, born March 20, 1867 ; died May 31. 1879.
Roy, born June 29, 1872.
288 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Lothop Beebe.
Lothop Beebe came from the town of Silasbury, Addison
county, Vt., to this town in 1816, and remained two years, then
started to return to Vermont. He stopped at East Bloomfield,
Ontario county, and remained there about three and a-half
years and worked at blacksmithing. He was married Feb.,
1820 to Sally Bemus and returned to Springville in June, 1821.
He has lived in Concord about forty years of his life, and in
Ashford about twenty, and has followed the business of black-
smithing and farming.
In 1825, he built a blacksmith shop on Main street, in Spring
ville, extending from George E, Crandall's store to the west.
In 1826 he built a dwelling house where Richmond's brick store
stands, on the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. He car-
ried on the business of blacksmithing here several years. He
served as a soldier in the war of 181 2-1 5, in the eastern country
and after he came here he held different ofifices in the militia
and was made Colonel of the 248th Regiment, with Homer
Barnes, Lieutenant Colonel and David Bensley, Major. Mr.
Beebe and Mrs. Beebe are both living at East Ashford ; he is
eighty-seven years old and she is eighty-two. Their children
were :
Martha, born 1822; married Hiram H. House; she died in
1845.
Marshall, born May 1823,; married Caroline Fairbanks;
he died in 1877.
Maria, born Sept. 1826; married Hiram H. House ; she died
Aug., 1854.
Edward Cheever, born April, 1S23, he died Aug., 1861.
Norman, born May, 1834; married Susan Davis; lives at
Lake Christal, Minnesota.
Sally Ann, born Sept., 1836; she died August, 1861.
Elvira, born Jan. 17, 1840; married Jehiel D. Whitne)- ; li\"es
in East Ashford.
Dr. Moses Blakeley,
Son of Moses and Phoebe Blakeley, was born in Bennington^
Vt., Jan. I, 1796, and in 1814 he was united in marriage to Miss
Irene Washburn, and fourteen children were the fruits of this
union. Nine of them, with the \'enerable wife and mother, are
RTOCRAI'HICAL SKETCIIKS. 289
still li\inL(. He mo\-cd to the town of C^iilins in 1838, and for
sixteen years he very successfully practiced medicine in this and
the surrounding country. In 1854 he moved to the village of
Aurora, where he enjo\'ed a lucrative practice in his profession
up to the time of his death He served on the lines during the
war of 1 8 12 and 181 5, and his venerable widow now recei\'es a
pension for his services Dr. Blakeley acquired quite a local
reputation in the practice of medicine. He died at his home
in 1868. Family record :
Isaac C, born Oct, 31, 1817; married Anna Tanner, Oct. 30,
1S42.
Angeline, born 1820; married Nelson Hills; died in 1877.
Moses, Jr., born 1822 married Polly Beckwith ; lives in Mich.
Ansel W. born 1824; married Caroline Adams and Viola
Thompson.
Nancy, married Elijah Bull; died in 1862.
Melissa, married Schuyler Jones; li\'es in Nebraska.
Edgar, born 1827.
Julia, married John Wheeler; died in 1872.
Mary, married Robert Willett ; died in i8m.
Andrew J., married Almira Tyrer.
Wellington, married Emily Brandymore.
Maria, married Joseph Wiser.
Edgar and Edwin — twins.
Dr. Isaac V. Blakeley.
Dr. Isaac C. Blakeley was born Oct. 31. 1817, and came to-
Concord in the }-ear 1838. His father's name was Moses
Blakely, who died in 1868. He was a soldier in the War of
1812; was at the Battle of Plattsburgh ; he was a practicing
physician. His widow, surviving him, gets a pension. His
mother's maiden name was Irene Wasburn. His occupa-
tion is a doctor, has practiced medicine fort\'-two years. Was
married Oct. 30. 1842, to Anna Tanner, who is a descendant of
the Wilbur famih' of Collins.
Emma A., born Aug. 19, 1843 '- niarried to James Wells.
Mortimer C, born Nov. 10, 1845.
Araminta A., born March 8, 1847; died Oct. 18, 1862.
Ansel W., born Aug. 8, 1849.
John W., born Aug. 19. 1855 ; married to Suella Doniker.
:2gO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Edgar Blakeley.
Edgar Blakeley was born Nov. ii, 1827, in the Town of
Java, Wyoming county, N. Y. His father's name was Moses
Blakeley ; his mother's maiden name was Irene Washburn —
both born in Burlington, Vermont. His father was a practicing
physician. Was married, Feb. 18, 1847, ^^ Miss Anna Knight.
His occupation is a farmer and dealer in live stock. The names
of his children are :
Alburtus E., born June 21, 1849; married to Annita Jones.
Galen E., born Sept. i, 1852 ; married to Rosa Blakeley.
Celia, born Oct. 22, 1855 ; married to Lindsey Thompson.
Addie, born Aug. 18, 1862.
Chester H. Briggs.
Chester H. Briggs was born in the Town of Collins, April 25,
1849, and came to Concord in the year 1878. His father's
name was Oliver Briggs, who died April 30, i860; his mother's
maiden name was Keziah Berry, who died Sept. 2, 1870. He
is a farmer by occupation ; was married Oct. 22, 1873, to Mary
A. Carroll, daughter of Patrick Carroll, of Angola.
His brother Charles Briggs, enlisted in the Tenth New York
Cavalry and served three years, and then re-enlisted for the
war.
They have one child, Frankie Briggs, who was born June 15.
1874.
Ansel Blakeley.
Ansel Blakeley was born Oct. 30, 1824. His father's name
was Moses Blakele)' ; his mother's maiden name was Irene
Washburn. He was married Dec. 31, 1850, to Caroline Adams,
who died March I, 1870, and he was married to Viola Thomp-
son, June 4, 1871, His children are:
Ledra, born Dec. 25, 1855 ; died June 28, 1858.
Sophronia, born Feb. 7, 1857.
Duane S., born April 24, 1859.
Elmer E., born July 2, 1863; died Oct. 9, 1871.
Dee A., born Feb. 24, 1870.
AVilliain Ballon.
William Ballou, Sr,,was born in Richmond, Cheshire county,
New Hampshire, Dec. 26, 1792. From there he removed to
BIOC.RAPIIICAI. SKETCHES. 29 1
Rutlaiul count}-, Vermont, and from there to Zoar in Collins,
in 1817, thus becoming one of our early pioneers. He resided
in Zoar until 1844. when he moved to Sprini(\Mlle, where he died
in 1866. He was married in Vermont, in 1813,10 Eunice Cook,
daughter of William Cook, who settled in Zoar about 1815,
where he kept tavern at one time. He died in 1853, Mrs.
Ballou was born in the same town that her husband was, and,
what is an uncommon coincidence, at the same date. They
had eight children, the three oldest being born in \"ermont.
\'iz :
Hetsc}-, born in 1814; died in 1 81 8.
Laura E., born in 181 7; married John T. Wells.
Lucy S., born 1820; married Clinton Hammond.
John, born 1822; married Mary Perigoo.
William, born 1826; married Louisa Evans.
Oliva, born 1828; married Da\id S. Reynolds.
Philana married Jerome Barnet,
Josephine, born 1837, died in 1863.
William Ballou is an extensive jeweler at De Kalb, 111.: he
has a famil}' of four children.
James BloodgooU.
James Bloodgood was born January 5, 1801, in the town of
Columbia, Herkimer count}', \. Y. ; occupation, a farmer.
Came to this town in June, 1827, was married (3ctober 10, 1830,
to Nancy Vaughan, who was born November 30, 18 10. Her
father's name was James Vaughan. Mr. Bloodgood has been
a resident of the town of Concord for a period of fifty-five
years. His history is part and parcel of the histor}- of many of
the early settlers of Concord. Perhaps an extract from a pub-
lication entitled. " The first fift}' years of the ^L^dison Uni-
versity," is appropriate :
" James Bloodgood, born in Columbia, Herkimer count}-,
January 5, 1801, came to the Seminar}- in '24 and left in "27;
settled as a farmer in Springville, Erie count}- ; married Nancy
\^uighan of Oueensburg, N. Y. ; taught school much in con-
nection with his farming. His only son graduated at Madison
University in 1852."
Referring to the same publication :
:292 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Delevan Bloodgood, born at Springville, August 20, 1831,
entered in '48 and graduated '52. Married at Washington, D.
C, to Jennie, daughter of the late John Ruger. After study
of medicine in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Philadelphia, Pa., took
M. D. from Jefferson, Md., College. Studied at medical
schools in Pittsfield, Mass., New York city and Buffalo, N. Y.
Visited Europe in '55. In '57 Assistant Surgeon in United States
Navy."
His first cruise was of two and a half years in the flag .ship
of the Pacific squadron, the steamship Merrimac, afterward
the Rebel iron clad. Visited principal ports on western coast
of North and South America, and the islands of the" Pacific ;
in '60 ; at Boston Navy Hospital. Next in steamer Mohawk
captured two slavers. In arduous service during the war in the
Gulf. After battle at Port Royal, on transport Atlantic, con-
veying sick and wounded north. In '62 Surgeon on the Daco-
tah, watching the Rebel ram Merrimac ; cruised after Semmes
and other privateers ; two years on the coast of the Carolinas,
in chase of the Chesapeake. Detached from Dacotah, caught
by Rebel raiders at Gunpowder river, Md., but soon escaped.
Recruited in N(n\- York. In '65 made cruise on the lakes in
the Michigan. In '66, on receiving ship Vermont, New York
harbor. In '67 sent to the Jamestown at Panama, which was
suffering from yellow fever ; the passage of sixt\--six days
from Panama to San Francisco a terrible one, every sixth per-
son having died. Spent following winter in Alaska ; next
summer cruising on the coast of North America. Had a cruise
on coast of Mexico in Lackawana, then ordered to Na\'y Yard
New York, where he still remains.
The Blotlgett Family.
Abial D. Blodgett and famih- lived man\' \-ears and the chil-
dren attended school on Townsend Hill. They were all apt schol-
ars. They removed from this town about 1845 to McHenry
county, 111., and settled near Harvard. Albert, the eldest child,
enlisted in the army and went to Mexico during the Mexican
war, and came homesick. He did not recover and died in 1852.
Ellen married I'rank Diggins, Helen married I. E. Baklwin and
lUoOKAl'llICAI. SKKTCHKS. 293
Hattic married H. C Jerome. The)- all li\e at or near Har-
\ard, McHenr\- c<)uiU\'. 111.
Abial D. Rlod^ett died in McHenry cinintw in 1861. Susan,
his wife, died in McHenr)- county, in i<S66.
Dolo.s A. I51«Klj'«'tt.
Delos A. l^lodi^ett was born in Otse<^o count}', X. \\ , and
was brouL^ht to the town of Concord by his parents, when a
child. He received his education in this town in the cominon
schools and Springville Academ}-. He removed with his par-
ents to McHenry count}'. 111. After he had started out for
himself and obtained some means of his own, he in\x'sted the
same in pine lands in Michiy^an, and continued to so invest for
many years. i(S48 he engaged in the lumbering business in
which he has continued ever since Besides a large lumber
manufacturing establishment in Muskegon and extensive pine
lands in the north part of the State, he has .several farms. Mr.
Blodgctt is a public spirited citizen, ready to assist in any need-
ful public enterprise. Though not a professor of religion, he
built a church and presented it. a free gift, to the people of
Hersey, the village in which he lived. His wife's maiden name
was Jennie S. Wood.
Their children are :
John \V., aged t\\ent}'-three, and Susie R., aged eighteen.
Mr. Blodgett has taken great pains to educate his children.
His son, besides receiving a good busidess education, has
attended the Militar}- Acadeni}- at Worcester. Mass.. two years.
J. S. Baruett.
Mr. Barnett's father, Gilbert Rarnett, was born in Bridge-
water, near Utica, N. Y., Dec. I2, 1791. He removed with his
family to Springville in 1833, and leased of Col. E. W. Cook, a
site for a foundry ^\hich he built and had in operation in 1834.
It was the first foundr}- in town, and the first work done was
making the castings for tlie "Big" mill. He operated the
foundry about four years then sold it to a Mr, Kennedy. Mr.
Barnett died in Wisconsin, June 14, 1899. He was married
November 16, 1812, to Betsey Dickinson, who was born near
Utica, N. Y., February 23, 1794.
294 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
They had eight children, namely :
Jedediah S., born Nov. 15, 181 3.
Frederick M , born March 26, 1817, died, June 14, 1856.
William D., born Dec. 8, 18 19, died about 1870,
Gilbert, jr., born Sept. 4, 1822.
Elizabeth, born Nov. 29, 1824.
Miles A., born March 18, 1828.
Jerome B., born May 31, 1831.
Lucy A., born April 13, 1835.
Jedediah S. Barnett was born in Sullivan, Madison county,
N. Y., came to Springville in 1834, While engaged in the
foundry business with his father, he cast the first cook stove
and plow made in town. He was proprietor of the foundry at
Springville for a while and was employed for twelve years in
the foundry at Gowanda, N. Y. He was married Dec. 25, 1839,
to Lydia Demon.
Have had four children .
Morris D., born March 27, 1841 ; married Mary Hurd ; resides
in Springville.
Francena, born July 27, 1845 ; married Rollin J. Albro.
Agnes M., born Nov. 27, 1848 ; died Sept 19, 1853.
Albert M., born Sept. 2, 1859; married Lillian Davis,
X. Boleiider, Jr.
N. Bolender, Jr . was born in Varysburgh, N. Y., Oct. 7,
1853; came from the town of Sardinia to Concord in the \-ear
1876. His father's name is N. Bolender: his mother's maiden
name was Catharine Bensinger; his occupation is milling; \\as
married to Miss Julia Rose June i, 18 10.
N. Bolender, Jr., & Bro., are the owners of a farm of eighty-
seven acres, three-fourths of a mile south of Morton's Corners,
upon which was a saw mill and flouring mill of four run of
stones, with all appliances complete, and doing a good busi-
ness. March 22, 181 2, the flouring mill was burned with its
contents, consisting of grain of all kinds and seeds, with a
quantity of flour. The mill was valued at $5,000, and about
$1,000 in stock; A\as insured for $2,500. They have since
rebuilt their mill the same size as before. They are also own-
ers of a custom mill at Collins Center ha\^in<>' t\\\) run of stone ;
I'.iocRAi'iricAi. SKi:T(.in:s. 295
are also running;" a cider mill and shinL;ie mill in connection
with the custom mill at Collins Center. There are three good
dwelling houses on their farm.
Anson lilasdoll.
Anson Blasdell was born March 30, 1S41, in the town of
Collins, Erie count)', N. V., and came to Concord in the )'ear
1864: was married Nov. 15. 1873, to Miss Juliette Gaylord.
I lis father's name was Ah'in Blasdell ; his mother's maiden
name was Al/ana Irish ; his grandfather's name was William
l^lasdell ; his grandmother's maiden name was Tamar Allen.
Mr. Anson Blasdell says: My grandfather, although seventy
years of age, enlisted in the late war in the State of Iowa, and
died in a hospital in Illinois. He was a soldier in the war of
18 12. The)' have two sons :
Ja)^ born March 5, 1875.
Lee, born July 22, 1876.
Byron E. Bristol.
Byron E. Bristol was born in Si^ringville in 1842 ; his father's
name was Adoniram Bristol ; his mother's maiden name was
Lucinda Harvey. Mr. Bristol enlisted Sept. 24, 1861, in Com-
pany A, One Hundredth Regiment, New York Volunteers.
He was Orderly-Sergeant of his compan)- ; he was first with
McClellan's army in the Peninsula campaign, and took part in
the battle of Fair Oaks ; he was afterwards transferred to Mor-
ris Island, under the command of General GihiKn'e, ^\•hich \\as
intended for the besieging of Charleston. In this siege he was
sexerely wounded, four balls striking and penetrating his breast
simultaneous!)', two of which have never been removed. From
Charleston he was removed to Virginia, where he participated
in the siege of Petersburg, at which place he was mustered out
of the service Sept. 24, i^'64.
Mr. Bristol was married in i860 to Julia E. Grover. They
have one child — Frank E.
AVarner Bond.
The Bonds came from New Salem, Mass., nearl)- sixty years
-ago, and settled in the north part of Ashford, Cattaraugus
296 BIOGRAPHICAI, SKETCHES.
county, N. Y. Warner Bond's father, John P. Bond, bought
land of the Holland Land company, on which he settled and
lived until his death, Sept. 26, 1879. He was one of the first
settlers of the town, a hardy pioneer ^\■hose dexterity in wield-
ing the axe was rarely equaled.
He married Sally Shultus. Of their children three lived to
mature years :
Abbie J., married Adelbert Tainter, and died in Ashford in
1877.
Perry, died in 1871.
Warner, who was born Aug. 7, 1846, in Ashford, where he
has always resided as a farmer; was married in ib6g to Linda
Goodemote. They have three children — Carl, Lula M. and
Cliff.
tTosepli BrittOTi.
Mr. Britton's father, John Britton, came to Boston, Erie
county, from New Jersey, in 18 10. He served as a soldier on
the Buffalo frontier, in the war of 181 2. He died in Boston.
Joseph Britton was born in Boston, N. Y., Feb. 17, 1817;
removed from that town to his present home in Concord, in
1855. He was married in 1845, to Emily C. Rhodes. They
have one adopted daughter, Mrs. Carl Waite, of Springville,
Edward D. Benient.
Edward D. Bement was a son of Julius Bement, one of the
earliest pioneers of Concord, a mention of \\hom is made in
another part of this work. The subject of this sketch was born
in Concord, Aug. 8th, 1842, where he has since resided, except
two years residence in Buffalo — 1 870 and 187 1 — where he was
engaged in the flour and grain trade.
Mr. Bement enlisted Aug. 3, 1861, in the i T6th New York Vol-
unteers, Co. F. He left Fort Porter for the scene of the war
Sept. 5 ; went into camp at Fort Chapin, near Baltimore ;
left there Nov. 6, for Ship Island, off the coast of Mississippi.
On account of sickness he was left off at the hospital at Fort-
ress Monroe ; not recovering his health he was discharged on
account of reasonable disability, Dec. 11. 1861, and returned
home.
lilOCRArillCAI, SKF/KHKS. 297
He was married Nov 21, 1866, to Miss Sophia 11. Wilson ;
they have one child, Burtic K., born May 21 1870. Mr. Be-
ment was Collector of the town of Concord in 18S1. He is at
present proprietor of a livery stable and a well equiped suite of
barber rooms in Sprint;ville.
IJlakcley Faiuily.
John D. Blakeley was born in Greenville, Cireene county,
N. Y., ini8i3, of New En<;^land parents, who, in 1815, when. he
was two \x'ars old, moved to the town of Willink, now Aurora.
He worked upon the farm near the village of East Aurora,
teaching school winters, until 1846. Four years he was con-
nected with a woolen-factory at West Falls. Moved to Spring-
ville, Sept. 10, 185 1, where he has since resided, for the first
few years in the harness business, then a spinner in a woolen-
factory and a carpenter. During the last twent)'-two years he
has been in mercantile life, and by steady industry and careful
management has acquired a fair competence His son
Walter W^ Blakeley, N\as born in Aurora, in 1846, is editor and
publisher of the Journal and Herald, a local newspaper which he
began publishing in 1867 as the Springi'illc Journal. He is also
proprietor of an extensi\'e and well arranged book and sta-
tionery store, and takes an acti\'e interest in movements that
tend to build up the moral and intellectual culture of his town.
flarvis Blooinficld.
Jarvis Bloomfield was an early settler here. He was a farmer
and owned until his death the mill now owned b}' C. J. Shut-
tleworth. He had four children : Hiram, the oldest, lives near
Rochester ; David C, lives in Sherman, Chatauqua county ;
Maria, married P'rank Fargo, and lives in Warsaw ; Homer,
when last heard from, lived in California. Mr.- Bloomfield died
Ma\' 12, 1856, aged si.xty-eight years and eleven months.
Samuel Bradley.
Samuel Bradle\' \\as an earh' settler in this town, and built
and managed the first woolen mills ever built in this town. He
afterward bought, in compan)' with his son-in-law, Silas Rush-
more, the Gardner grist mill. A few years afterward, while
tendintr the mill at ni<>"ht, he fell from the stairs and was
298 HIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
injured so badly that he died in a short time. None of the
family or descendants have lived in this town for forty or fifty
years.
Charles E. Botsfoitl, C. E.
C. E. Botsford was born in Syracuse, N. Y.. in 1837. When
he was five years of age, the family moved to Yorkshire, N. Y,,
and to Springville in 1847, where he has ever since held a
residence. He attended school three years at the Springville
Academy, where he developed a rare proficiency in mathemat-
ics, which resulted in his becoming a professional civil engineer
and surveyor.
About 1856, he became assistant engineer in the construc-
tion of the Brooklyn city water works. He remained in this
position se\'en years, at the expiration of which time he gave
his attention to the locating and construction of railroads for a
period of ten years, principally in the States of New York,
Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Besides being actively engaged
in the building of railroads, he made a great many preliminary
surveys. Among the roads which he assisted in building are
the Rondout & Oswego, in New York ; the Sull'van & Erie in
Pennsylvania, and the New Haven, Middletown & W'illimantic,
in Connecticut. Of the last-mentioned, he was chief engineer,
and also of the Rochester & Pittsburgh.
Mr. Botsford has undoubtedly the largest prix'ate librar\- in
Erie county outside of Buffalo. His collection now numbers
one thousand volumes of standard works.
Mr. Botsford was married in 1876, to Roselia M. Parmenter,
a graduate of GrifTfith Institute. They have two sons, Charles
and Heman.
The Bhike Faiuily.
Ebenezer Blake came to this State from Canada about 1816,
and after stopping at several different places for a while, finally
settled on Townsend Hill, in 1829, He reared a large family
of children :
Adonirum J., the eldest, died in Cuba, N. Y.. in 1843.
John G. lives in Mount Carroll, 111.
Rosina (Blake) Rowley lives in Springville.
Benjamin F. lives in Gaines, Orleans county.
HKJCRAPHICAL SKKTCHKS. 299
Chirinda died in 1848.
Louisa (Blake) Willis died in I <S6o.
Charles E. died in 1873.
Harn- li\'es in Rome, N. Y.
Cephas lives in Gaines, Orleans county, N. V.
Saphronia M. lives in Blaine, Porta<^e county. Wis.
Sylvester H. Barnhart.
Mr. Barnhart was born at Dickinson's Landin<^, Stormont
county, C. W., Sept. 19, 1842. His parents were of Canadian
birth. He received instruction in the hi^ijjhcr branches from a
private instructor, and tauLjht school four }'ears in his native
county, then relinquishcil the pursuit on account of his health;
in 1864 he went to St. Catharines, C. W., and worked for
three years at cabinet and undertaking' business ; from that
time up>.to the present he has mainly followed the occupation
of harnessmaker and saddler in \'arious places in New York,
Pennsylvania, and in the cities of Cleveland, Chica<^o, Detroit,
and Cincinnati. He is at present (1883) located in Springville.
While at Corr\', Pa., he was engaijed for a while in the electro
gold and silver plating business. He was also engaged for a
hardware firm in Cleveland, O., for some time.
In the manufacture of harness, Mr. Barnhart is a \-er\' skillful
workman, his wcM'k taking first premium when ])ut on exhibi-
tion.
<ir<M>rj»-e 1). I5ra<ltVn'd (Colored).
George D. Bradford was born in the cit}' of New Orleans,
La., June 8, 1850. At the commencement of the rebellion in
1861 he joined a division of Rebel-General Longstreet's army,
stationed in New Orleans, in the capacity of an officer's waiter.
He filled this position until the occupation of New Orleans by
the Union army, under General Butler in 1862, when he joined
the Union forces, and became an assistant in the One Hun-
dred and Si.xteenth regnnent New York volunteers, with
which he remained during all the hard-fought battles in which
it took part and until the close of the war in 1865, when he
came to Springville with Capt. Charles F. Crary ; after Captain
Crar}''s death he became an inmate of Mr, J. N. Richmond's
300 lilOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
family, and expresses thanks for their kindness and the educa--
tional privileges they gave him.
Statement of Mrs. Boyles.
I was born in Connecticut ; my father's name was Abel Ab-
bey ; my name was Melinda Abbey ; came from Connecticut
to Lyle. Broome county, this state, in 1803; my father came
to Sardinia in 181 3 and bought of Sumner Warren a saw mill
and a quarter section of land where Sardinia village now is;
he moved his family on in March, 1814; was about three weeks
coming through ; he came with two span of horses and a yoke
of oxen ; stayed the last night of our journey at Jackson's, east
of Arcade ; on coming into the town of Sardinia we passed
where a Mr. Eaton and another man had made a beginning
where Rice's Corners are now, but both had gone east on
account of the Indians, and one of them never moved back ;
we found General Knott on his place, and IVIr. Mariam and
Cartwright about where Thomas Hopkins and Mr. Hosmernow
live, and Godfrey and Palmer lived just west of Colgrove's Cor-
ners, on the Andrc\\s place. The saw mill that father bought
of Warren stood about where Mr. Simonds' mill is, and the
little log house stood about where Andrews' grocery stands
now ; there was no other house where Sardinia village now is,
nor nearer than Godfrey's west of Colgrove's Corners.
Mr. Warren had built a shant}' on the place where Hiram
Crosby now lives, but not long after he, Godfrey and others
were called out on the lines to serve as soldiers, and his wife
went up and stayed with Mrs Godfrey while they were gone.
Old Mr. John Wilcox lived on the Olen place, lot thirty-four,
township five, range seven.
Ezekiel Smith lived at the foot of the hill as you come down
towards Springville.
A man by the name of Wolsey lived on the old Carney place.
John Johnson lived oii lot fifty-six about where his son Rich-
ard now lives, and John and Jeremiah Wilcox had commenced
on the next lot below.
Morton Crosby was on the Jonathan Madison place, and Com
modore Rogers lived next this side ; then Capt. Charles Wells ;
then Jedediah Cleveland ; then Richmond's folks were next.
iiloCRAl'lIKWl, SKF/ICIIKS.
^OI
Horace Rider and the Sears fami!>- li\ed on the hill on lot
fifty-seven, a half or three-fourths of a mile nearly north of the
Hakes brids^e.
Ezekiel Hard}' li\'ed on lot fort\--two.
lacob Wilson, Benjamin Wilson and Daniel Hall lived in the
eart i)art of the town near where the railroad junction is now.
These are all the families that were in town at that time that
I can remember.
In June, 1814, Adelia Sears, a yount;' woman, luini,^ herself
with a skein of \-arn, in the barn, where she was at work wea\--
ini^; her family and friends never knew what caused her to do
the act. I remember that Mr. Warren and his wife and four
more of us rode down on horseback fixe miles throu<^h the
woods to where the Sears family lived at the time.
In the Summer of 1814 I taught school in Sardinia. It was
in a log house east of Colgrove's Corners, that stood near New-
ell Hosmer's present residence.
All the men liable to do military duty had been called to the
frontier, only two or three who were exempt from age remained.
When in the school room that Summer we could hear the can-
non at Fort Erie, Chippewa and Lund)''s Lane distinctl)-.
We sometimes felt rather lonesome back in the wilderness and
most of the men gone to the war.
In 181 5, my father and Deacon Russell were highwa)' com-
missioners, and laid out the road through Springville on West.
In 1815, I was married to Jeremiah Wilcox b}' Christopher
Douglass. Escp, and moved down and commenced keeping
house on the creek, about t]iree-c]uarters of a mile east of the
Hakes bridge On the 29th of Februar\-, 1S16, there was
a caucus down at Richmond's, and m\- brothers and others
came down from the east part of the tt)wn to attend the cau-
cus ; I, too, went down to \isit with the Crosby folks, and left
the house alone, and before we returned, the house and every-
thing in it burned up. We went to the Barny Carny place and
staid one year, and then went back onto the creek and kept
tavern
The girls in the Richmond famil\- were Anna, Betsey, Sally,
and Louisa; the boys, George and Frederick. Richmond's
log house was used for various kinds of public gatherings. I
b
302 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
remember that when the town meeting was held there once or
twice when the four towns were all in one ; militia trainings
were held there ; religious meetings were held there also, and
they had good meetings, too. I remember that when Mr. Fay,
of Townsend Hill was married, that for their wedding tour he
and his wife, each with a good horse, took a horseback ride in
good style down to Richmond's on Sunday to meeting. Social
gatherings were held there, when sometimes nearly all from
Sardinia village to Springville were present.
In those early days we had to endure many hardships and
privations, but the people were generally friendly and we
enjoyed ourselves very well, and had some very good times.
In 1820, we moved up on to lot thirty-three, township seven,
range six, where the brick house now is, on the west side of
Vaughan street. The families living on or near that street at
that time, are Archibald Griffith, at East Concord, Nathan
Godard and Cyrus Cheney, on the Steele place, William
Wright, on the Bloodgood place, Jonathan Mayo, west of the
road. Captain Wells, on south part of lot thirty-three, John
Henman, Elijah Matthewson, Hale Matthewson, on the Hor-
ton place, Abner Chase on road running west from Vaughan
street, Culver lived where William Pingry does, Douglass lived
down on the creek, old Mr Madison lived on the Byron Wells
place, Deacon Jennings lived where William McMellan does and
Ben Rhodes lived on the Jabez Weeden place.
When I first came to Springville, David Sticknex' kept hotel
in a small log house near the Opera House. W^hen we passed
from one room to the other had to step over a log. Fred Rich-
mond traded a little and Jinks and Stanard traded on Buffalo
street, between the Methodist and Baptist churches. Not long
after that Rufus C. Eaton kept hotel in the old yellow house
that stood back of the Universalist church near the pond. I
went to some shows there in 1819. The first frame house built
in Springville was by David Leroy ; it stood a little south of
the Presbyterian church. Dr. Daniel Ingals lived in it after-
wards. Don't know for certain what year the old hotel on
Franklin street opposite the park was built, but I remember I
went to a ball there in 1 82 1. Harry Sears kept it then. I
think the Eaton grist mill was built before 1820 I came here
HIOGRAI'IIICAI. SKKTCHES. 303
and had wool carded in 1817. I think there niust have been a
carding machine before Bradley came. I think Elliott com-
menced trading in 1825 or '26. Dr. Churchill did some busi-
ness in early times. Dr. Rumsey was a young man and died
at Mr. Henman's house of consumption in the summer of 1816.
Dr. Woodward was next and Dr. Reynolds, then Drs. Daniel
and Varnc)' Ingals. My father sold out in Sardinia to Dudley
and Horace Clark and went to Elyra, 0.,and died there. Two
or three years after we moved to Vaughan street we raised a
fine crop of wheat, but could sell it for only three shillings, or
three and six per bushel ; we also had to sell sheep for fifty
cents a head.
Mr. Wilco.x died in Ashford, March 24, 1843.
My son John A. died in Minnesota.
Sardis, Abel and x\lfred died in Calif(^rnia.
Carlos E. died in Mexico.
Albert Tracy died in Kansas.
M\^ daughter, L. C). Wilcox, died in 1839, ^ged eighteen
years.
Maria married Janies Goodemote and lives in Ashford.
Lucy married Alden Kellogg and li\'es in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Boyles died in Nov. 1877.
Murray Cliaiirtlor.
Murra\- Chandler, son of Elam Chandler and Sail)- Fleming
Chandler, was born in Concord, Jan. I, 1847. He was married
March 29, 1876, to Filena Smith, daughter of Calvin Smith,
Esq. of Springville. They have one child, Robert Smith
Chandler, born Feb. 6, 1879. ^^^- ^- '^ '^ cheese maker and
farmer. His father came to Concord from Vermont, and was
engaged for a time in mercantile business at Ellicottville, N.
Y.; now lives at Yorkshire, N. Y.
Georg'e Cosliiie.
George Cosline was born Dec. 15, 1844, in the town of Bos-
ton, Erie county, N. Y., came to Concord in 1857; is a farmer
and was married Nov. 9, 1859, ^^ Janette Hickok, of the town
of Concord. They have one son, George S. Cosline, who was
born May 15, 1864. His brother, Henry Cosline, enlisted and
304 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
served three years in the late war, and until discharged. George
Cosline was drafted and paid $300 for a substitute. He was in
the Mississippi Valley for seven years and cut two thousand
cords of steamboat wood.
Albert Crosby.
Albert Crosby was born June 28, 1853, in Sardinia. His
father's name was Hiram Crosby, and his mother's maiden
name was Susan Jackman. He has worked at the business of
farming and cheese making. He was married in 1874 to Miss
Ella Smith, daughter of William Smith and Cinderrella Briggs
Smith. They own and occupy a farm on lot fifty-three, town-
ship seven, range 6, in the town of Concord.
They have two children :
Alonzo Erasmus^ born June 18, 1875.
Elsie E., born March 30, 1877.
Statement of Vernain C. Cooper.
I was born in the town of Kingsbuiy, Washington county,
N. Y.; my father's name was Samuel Cooper; my mother's
maiden name was Betsey B. Armstead ; my father came to this
town in 1809, and took up lot thirty-three, township seven,
range six, but did not settle on it. and soon after sold it ;
he returned East. In May, 181 1, my father started from
Washington county to move to this town. The family con-
sisted of father, mother, myself and my younger sister Betsey.
My uncle Nicholas Armstead and a small boy, George Arm-
stead, came with us ; we came with two yoke of oxen hitched
to our wagon and drove two cows ; we were three weeks com-
ing through and were compelled to camp out nights, frequently
in the woods ; one or two basswood trees were cut for the cattle
to browse upon ; mother prepared something for us to eat and
we slept under the wagon ; I was so young that I cannot tell
for certain the route we came, or all the incidents that occurred,
but I think we came b\' w<iy of Pike and Arcade ; I remember
when we passed the Tice place in this town ; they were burning
brush on the sides of the road, and it was so hot that we could
hardly get through safely; we arrived on the 7th of June and
located on lot nineteen, township seven, range seven, on land
r.KXikAl'IIICAI. SKKIIIIKS, 305
nf)\v owned b\' G. VV. Spauldin<4' ; our house was built some
distance west of liis house on the south side of the road ; there
was no saw mill in this town, and our house had to be built
without lumber; the bod\' was of logs, the roof was shingled
with bassu'ood bark, and the floor w<is made of plank sjjlit out
of basswood logs, called " puncheons," and all the planing,
matching and fitting they received was performed with an axe ;
the door for the first Summer was a blanket hung up.
Thomas McCx^e came in soon after we did and located on lot
eleven, the place that Laban Smith now owns.
James Brown came in soon after and settled on lot twenty,
township seven, range seven.
His son. Obadiah Brown, located on lot twenty-eight, town-
ship seven, range seven.
Isaac, Ezra, Hira and Daniel Lush, four brothers, came
and settled on lot twenty-seven, township seven, range seven,
where Hira C. Lush now lives. They came from Augusta.
Oneida count}'.
Smith Russell came and settled on lot twelve, townshij)
seven, range se\'en, on the north side of the Genesee road, on
land now (iwned by Henry Scott.
Channing Tre\itt came and located on lot eighteen, township
seven, range seven, and put up a saw mill in 18 1 3, where the
Wheeler Brothers now are.
Alexander Clements came and located where Samuel Stevens
now li\"es.
All the above-named families came in and located before,
and lived in this neighborhood during, the War of 1812-15.
Most of them were called out to serve as soldiers on the Nia-
gara frontier; some of them went more than once. My father
was drafted twice but hired substitutes each time. The first
time he hired his brother-in-law, Nicholas Armstead, who got
badh' wounded ; the second time, he hiretl Isaac Lush. Dur-
ing the fore part of the war. the settlers feared that the Indians
on' the Cattaraugus and Buffalo Creek reservations might side
with the British and make war on the settlers; but. when the}'
learned that those Indians took sides against the British and
assisted the Americans when desired, that fear passed away.
The Indians were always very friendly with us, and used to
16
306 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
stay at our house over night frequently, and mother, out of
friendship and matter of policy, went down to the reservation
visiting.
Immediately after the close of the war, settlers began to
come in quite fast, and within two or three years the following
families came to our neighborhood: Jonathan Spaulding,
Benjamin Trevitts, John Andrews, Everett Fisher, Daniel Per-
sons, Samuel Eaton, Asa Philips, Roswell Olcott, James Tyrer,
Ambrose Cram, Ebenezer Merrick, Frederick Wood, Cary
Clements, Samuel Sampson, Emery Sampson.
There was no grist mill in this town for several years after
we came, and we had to go to Boston to get our grinding done^
until Jonathan Townsend built his mill on Smith brook,
in 1816.
People from Collins used to come to our house on their way
to Boston to mill, and stay over night, and take our wagon and
go on to Boston and get their grists ground, then come back
and stay another night at our house, then in the morning hitch
on to their drays and go winding through the woods with noth-
ing but a path to follow to their homes in Collins.
A great many people used to sta}' at our house over night,
some going to mill, some looking for land or moving, and fre-
quently there would be six or eight there at a time. Once,
father was digging a well, and, in order to prevent accidents,
laid rails over the top at night, but one of our oxen recklessly
walked onto the rails and went to the bottom ; but, by the use
of ropes and the assistance of travelers stopping there that
night, he was hoisted out and landed safely on terra firuta.
A wolf once killed one of our sheep and dragged her up onto
a big elm log, and was found there taking his breakfast in the
morning.
One time, a bear killed one of ni}- father's hogs, and he and
Mr. Brown took the remains of the hog down b}' the little
spring brook and baited a bear trap, which they constructed of
logs and pins or stakes, and they caught the bear by one hind
leg.
When we went to the trap, a large dog that had followed us
into the county rushed up and attacked the bear in the trap,
but the bear seized him in his fore paws, and would have hugged
HKXiRAl'HICAI, SKKTCUKS, 307
him to death. We tried to pr)- his paws apart with liand
spikes to Hberate the dog, but could not do it, and finally had
to knock the bear in the head and killed him ; we then took
him up to the house and kept him several days for people to
look at.
My father's family were ;
Vernam C. Cooper.
Betsey Cooper married Luke Simonds; lives in Concord.
Julia Ann married Jonathan Swain; died in Colden.
Margaret died in this town twenty years ago.
Samuel died in Illinois twenty-seven years ago.
Phoebe died in Ohio eighteen years ago.
Elark}' Lodusky lives in Concord.
Ezra Lush's mother was sister to my father, and Ezra's wife
was sister to m}- wife.
Veriiani C. Cooper's Family.
He married Keziah Sampson, Jul)' 28, 1828. Their children
were :
Colvin Cooper.
Caroline married Job Woodward; lives in Concord.
Cary married Helen Gray; he died in Kansas, 1879.
Ann married Frank Perkins ; he died nineteen years ago.
Clementine died when a child.
Carlos died when a child.
Leroy died at Staunton hospital. District of Columbia,
Dec. 8, 1864, aged nineteen years, nine months and nineteen
da)-s.
William Wallace married Flora Stage ; lives in Concord.
John Wesley married Mariette Colburn ; lives in Concord.
The Cooliraii Family.
Samuel Cochran, who was one of the very first settlers in the
present Town of Concord, was born Jan. 21, 1785, in the Town
of Gifford, Vermont, and was married Nov. 6, 1805, to Catharine
Gallup, who was born Feb. 22. 1787, in the Town of Colrain,
Mass. He was descended from the Scotch Covenanters, who.
flying from the persecutions under King James, settled in the
North of Ireland ; while she was a descendant of a Hugenot
308 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
family which had escaped from the massacre of St. Bartholo-
mew. Soon after marriage, the youthful pair moved to Tioga
county, N. Y., near the present Town of Painted Post, where
they remained until the Fall of i8o8, when, having found their
location to be destitute of water in the dry season, they
decided to go where living water was abundant.
At this time, the Holland Land company were distributing
their circulars and maps, and inviting settlers to visit their
lands. One of these fell into Cochran's hands, on which the
present location of Springville was named "Cold Springs," on
account of their abundance, coldness and purity. His late ex-
perience decided him to visit the place for himself. In the
month of September or October, 1808, in company with Joseph
Yaw, an uncle of his wife, he started on foot, equipped with
blanket, knapsack and staff, to visit Cold Springs, now Spring-
ville. He came through the southern tier of counties to
Angelica, and from there b}' what was known as the McClure
settlement, in the Town of Franklinville, Cattaraugus county,
Joseph McClure having cut to that place a sled road from
Angelica, which was barely a track indicated by blazed trees,
from which the logs had been cut and rolled awa\\ McClure
had been educated for the medical profession, but disliking it
he had left Belchertown, Mass., and moved to Angelica, N. Y.,
in the Summer of 1804, when his skill and accuracy as a sur-
veyor had attracted the attention of the principal surveyor
and agent of the Holland Land company, Joseph Ellicott, by
whom McClure was employed, and sent into the wilderness to
survey the subdivisions of the Purchase, and appreciating the
loveliness and fertility of the broad valle}' of the Lschua, he
decided to make it his home and moved there in 1806. From
this point, Cochran and Yaw had onl}' blazed trees to guide
them down the south branch of the Cattaraugus creek to the
forks where the}' crossed to the north bank of the stream which
they followed down as far as the place kno^\■n as the George
Shultus place. P^rom this place, the\' came up the ravine to
what is now called Cattaraugus street, to the site of the present
Village of Springville. They found only the two families of
Christopher Stone and John Albro. Stone on Buffalo street
just south of- Eaton street, and Albro farther north.
I'.IOCkAl'IIICAI, SKHTCIIES. 309
Cochran & Yaw took up lot 2 ; Cochran the south part.
With tlic help of Albro & Stone they cut logs and rolled up the
body of a house high enough to stand under the lowest side of
the roof. This structure was located at the point of the hill
about forty rods south-west of the Edward Goddard place,
where a few years later Yaw built a house and spent his days.
At first Cochran's house had no floor or window and not a nail
in it. Pins driven into augur holes in the logs furnished shelv-
ing, seats and table. The)- had what might be regarded as a
novelty at the present da)-, a bedstead with only one leg to it,
in which were two augur holes, receiving the two rails from the
sides of the house which furnished the other legs and side,
ready for bark cording, which, in those days, was considered
a rather extravagant and great luxury. As soon as the shant}'
was ready Cochran returned for his wife, by way of Buffalo and
Batav'ia, following only blazed trees as far as Boston, from
which place a sled-road had been cut out to Buffalo. The first
road or travelled path from Springville to Buffalo was up Frank-
lin street to the Russell orchard, then by the Wilson place,
Townsend Hill, Pike, Adams and Trevett's, to Boston. Coch-
ran was soon ready to return to his future home, where his life
was spent and where he and his wife rest in the beautiful cem-
eter\' on the farm they so long occupied.
All their effects were easily packed on a small sled drawn by
a yoke of steers, and the father, mother and child started for
this wilderness home, by the way of Batavia and Williamsville.
F^rom the latter place he was nine days in reaching Springville,
and this was only accomplished with the greatest exertion,
often being compelled to cut and roll the logs from trees that
had fallen across the track. Crossing the Buffalo creek on the
ice was a serious affair. After the ice had first formed the
water in the creek had fallen about a foot, the ice breaking
along the bank had formed again below, leaving a strip of the
first formation projecting from the bank. In crossing the run-
ner of the sled ran so firmly under the ledge that the steers
were unable to back it out. After \'ainl)' tr\^ing to extricate
the sled, it being quite dark, he took the child in his arms and
with his wife, walked nearly a mile, to the Indian Council House,
where the Indians were holding one of their wild dances, feath.
3IO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ers and paint giving them a hideous appearance. Here he left
his wife and child, while he with two or three Indians, returned
to extricate the sled, which delayed his return about two hours,
which, to the young wife, seemed an age, alone with the howl-
ing, painted savages. She had seldom seen Indians, but her
mind was filled with stories of their savage ferocity and memory
was faithful in bringing them all up fresh before her as they
danced, howling around their camp-fire. One of the squaws took
the baby in her arms and danced around the fire with it singing
their war songs, which seemed to please the child far more than
the mother, who expected every moment to see it tossed in the
fire. Another took her fur-trimmed overcoat, put it on and
followed in the dance and finally disappeared out-doors with it.
Her feelings can better be imagined than described. Her
child seemed safe but the thought that her fur-trimmed coat,
the bridal-gift of her mother, was gone forever and she could
not hide her tears. "White squaw, baby, cry," said one who
could speak a little English.
At last her husband returned with the Indians who had
accompanied him. All was right again, but that scene could
never be forgotten by the mother. They stayed at the Council
House all night. The Indians fed their steers and gave them
breakfast for which they would take no remuneration. The
only similar instance in their long journey. They obtained
shelter nights and food until they reached Boston corners.
Thence it took them two da}'s to reach Springville, camping
one night beside a fallen tree, between the Lewis Trevitt place
and the Pike school-house, about five and one-half miles from
their new house, which they reached on the following day.
When they left Boston they started very early with strong-
hopes to reach Springville that night, but a strong wind had
prostrated se\'eral trees across their track, which had given them
a day of the hardest labor to get through, but all in vain. The
bright hopes of the morning were all blasted and though it was
cold and blustering they were compelled to spend the night
beside a fallen tree near the roots which were turned up. Hem-
lock brush was piled on the ground and a covering of it on
poles overhead, a fire built before it which kept Cochran bus}-
through the night, to suppl)- with fuel and tend while the
HIOGRAl'HICAL SKETCHES. 311
mother had a six-months' child to keep comfortable and quiet.
The steers had to make their supper and breakfast on browse.
They were all read}- for another early start and reached the
shanty of John Russell, on lot one, near the an<;le (just west of
the corporation line) on Franklin street, built since Cochran went
for his wife. It was a pleasant surprise for Cochran and wife
to come upon this, shanty in the wilderness, with its genial
occupants and they were made welcome there the first night in
Concord, and the wives formed a union that night, baptised
with many tears (but they were tears of joy) that lasted all
through their future lives. And their " pine-knot" torches
often guided them through the woods, half a mile, from shantv
to shanty, for a long winter evening's visit. The next morning
Russell and Cochran went down together to Cochran's house to
clear out the snow which they found abundant in it, as the roof
covered only about three-fourths of the top, no doors in it and no
chinking had been done. But the snow was soon ejected and fire
built at one end where there was not any roof and both wives
were soon there getting their two suppers together. With what
thrilling interest the survivors of these two families recounted
these scenes over fifty years after.
Though greath' surprised by the addition of Russell and wife
to the town since Cochran went for his family, he was disap-
pointed in finding that Albro had lost his wife and left for his old
home in the east. During the winter of 1808 and 1 809, Stone,
Cochrane and Russell were the only settlers within ten miles.
Cochran and Russell were the two first permanent settlers of
the town of Concord. Stone and Albro removing to other
parts of the country. The first money earned b}' Cochran was
by making ashes, boiling the lye into salts, in a two-pail iron
kettle, and carrying the salts in a trough he had dugout, on his
back to the asher}' in Hamburg, twenty-two miles distant. With
this mone)' he was enabled to pay his bill made in Boston when
moving into Concord. It is difficult to picture to ourselves the
hardships of pioneer life. The winter blasts penetrated the
hastily-built shanties. There were no fire-places and no chim-
neys save a big hole in the roof, through which all the heat as
well as the smoke escaped. The cattle lived on browse and for
a while these hardy settlers had to supply much of their provis-
312 BIOGRArHICAL SKETCHES.
ions from the game of the surrounding wilderness. They had
no neighbors within ten miles. The curling smoke from these
three humble but happy homes was all there was to cheer the
forest gloom. Never were neighbors more highly prized than
by those hopeful pioneers who where closely united by their
common experiences and the necessities of their forest life.
Much of their out-door labor w^as done in common. Together
they logged and cleared their land and soon each had three or
four acres burned and in condition to plant corn and potatoes.
They struggled hard under adverse circumstances to supph"
their actual wants. But sympathy and generous friendship
made their lot happ)- and often in later years they were heard
to call those early days of struggle and privation the happiest
of their lives. Cochran and Russell with their wi\-es, went on
foot to Gary's, in Boston, ten miles, on a visit, each of the men
carrying a bab)' in their arms. They did not start for the after-
noon visit at five P. M. Nor did they return the same evening,
but took two days for the trip and felt well paid. " This visit
was soon returned by Asa Gary and wife.
A few years later, when Peter Pratt had settled in Gollins, now-
known as Zoar, Russell, Gochran, and their wives, and Albro,
who had returned with a young wife, went with an ox sled
eight miles to spend an evening at his house. It took a good
part of the day to get there and all night to get back. Still no
doubt they worked lively and gossiped very little about their
neighbors. About this time Gochran heard that a man named
W^aterman had settled upon the Gattaraugus Greek, where the
village of Gowanda is now situated. As there were W'atermans
in his native town he determined to visit him in hopes to hear
from his eastern home again. To accomplish this he first went
eight miles to get Peter Pratt's old mare on which his wife could
ride and carr)- the baby, for he had come to the conclusion after
carrying the bab}' to Boston and back that baby had got big
enough to ride a horse, while he was needed to go ahead and
pick out the way, there not being any road. They travelled
over twenty-five miles, over the terrible breakers and ravines of
Zoar, along the Gattaraugus creek, then an unbroken wilder-
ness, to reach Waterman's. On their return the mare's colt
broke its leg, which caused another day's delay. The visit
RIOC.RAPIIICAT, SKKTCIIKS. 313
which was returned by Waterman and wife on horse-back,
occupied five da\'s. Such incidents, trixial in themselves,
throw a clearer li<^ht upon the lives and feelings of our
ancestors and give us a better comprehension of the hardships
they endured, than can be obtained from the most eloquent
descriptions. These pioneers had no communication with the
outside world and the friends they left, except as intelligence
was brought to them from time to time by some new settler.
There were but few additions to the settlement until 1810,
when quite a number of families joined them. The next year,
and }'ear following, additions were so numerous through the
town that when troops were called for in the war of 1812, quite
a compan}- went from the limits of the present Town of Con-
cord. Cochran was appointed Ensign by Colonel Stevens and
had charge of the company from this town, and were placed at
the batter}- on foot at Black Rock the night Buffalo was burned,
and came near being taken prisoners in the morning. When
Buffalo was burning a company of Red Coats were sent down
the ri\er to silence the battery, which had been doing bad work
with their small boats, which had been continually crossing the
river during the night. And this companyof Red Coats were near
the battery when Colonel Chapin was seen coming at full speed
from another direction and in time warned them to make their
escape, when they all fled, some running but a few rods jumped
down the bank by the river side and were safe from their shots,
whilst others ran for the woods some forty or fifty rods on a
double quick, the balls whizzing by them, Cochran was among
this number and as he dodged behind a big hemlock tree a ball
struck the tree throwing the bark so sharph' in his face that he
thought certainly the bullet hit him. Cochran, in after \'ears,
often spoke of this as the most terrible event of all his life, for,
on the last fire, the cannon ran over his foot crushing off the
nails from his toes and he came near fainting and fallino- at
every step the pain was so terrible. Onh' one of the company
got hit b\- the enemy's bullets and that but a flesh wound in
his arm. When the British had spiked the guns they returned
to the city for plunder. At the close of the war, Cochran
received a commission from the Government as aide-de-camp
to Brigadier-general and afterwards to Major-general. Much
314 l!I()(;RArHICAL SKKTCIIES.
of the time during his Hfe he held some town office, was one of
the first stockholders in the Springville Academy and a trustee
all his life. Most of the time its treasurer and during its darkest
days and most trying periods, one of its most firm and liberal
supporters. At its opening he was so anxious to see it start
full that he put in five scholars, though part of them were so
young as to more properly belong to the district school. He
was ever ready to aid in every benevolent and public enterprise
in the place. His second log house was built on the corner
of Central avenue and Franklin street, occupying the ground
on which the beautiful and stately mansion of D. \V. Bensley
now stands. In 1823, he built the house on Main street, in
which he spent the remainder of his days. When this house was
finished the traveling public pressed him so hard for accommo-
dation that in 1S24, he put up a sign and kept public house for
twenty years. Though he voluntarily abandoned the liquor
traffic and kept a temperance house for three or four years.
This house is again being fitted for a hotel by F. K. Davis.
Cochran died in 1845 "ot quite sixty-two years of age, leaving
a wife, five sons and four daughters, all of whom but the eldest,
were born in Springville.
His eldest son, Orson, was born Jan. 26, 181 5, and lived in
Concord till ^840, when he moved to Otto, near Waverh*. He
was elected Justice of the Peace in 1850, which office he has
held ever since, now over thirty-five years. Was town super-
intendent of Common School there till the office was aban-
doned. He still lives at Otto, near Waverly.
Joseph G., the second son, was born Feb. 5, 1817. He pre-
pared for College at Springville Academy and graduated at
Amherst College and Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., and
was sent by A. B. C. F. M., in 1847. ^o Persia, Asia, where
he died after twenty-five years of \'er)- successful labor in the
mission field. In 1847, ^^ ^^'^^^ married to Miss Deborah
Plumb, a daughter of Joseph Plumb, formerly of Gowanda.
She continued a missionary on the same field where her hus-
band died. Her son. Dr. J. P. Cochran, is laboring with heron
the same field.
Byron, the third son, was born Jan. 30, 1821. Has held
:several offices in the militia, was on Brigadier and Major-Gen-
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 315
eral's staff. Was elected Justice of the Peace five times, was
deacon, elder and Sunday school superintendent of the Presby-
terian church, Springvllle, for over thirty years, till health
failed and he resigned. He still resides in Springville.
Augustus G., the fourth son, was born July i, 1825. He
served three years in the war of the Rebellion, was with Sher-
man in his grand march through Georgia, returned from the
hospital in poor health and is now living on a farm in the Town
of Great Valley, Cattaraugus county.
David H., the fifth son, was born July 5th, 1828; prepared
for college at Springville Academy. Graduated from Hamil-
ton College about the year 1849. Was principal of Fredonia
Academy about three years, from which place he went to the
State Normal school at Albany as Professor of Chemistry, &c.
Was soon chosen president of Albany State Normal school,.
where he remained till about 1861 or 1862, when he was elected
president of Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute,
where he still remains as Ph. D., LL. D.
Colonel Elbert Willett Cook.
Elbert Willett Cook — familiarly known as Colonel Cook —
was a son of Paul and Jerusha Cook and grandson of Constant
and Isabel Cook, and in direct line with their ancestors who
came to this country about 1630. The ancestors of his mother.
Miss Jerusha Hatch, came over in the Mayflower, and landed
at Plymouth Rock. She was of the same family as Israel T.
Hatch of Buffalo and Judge Pringle of Batavia.
Elbert Willett was born April 2^, 1804, in Springfield. Otsego
county, N. Y.
Miss Thankful Plumb Murray, born in Orwell, Rutland
count)', Vt., was a daughter of Jonathan and Roslinda Murray.
Elbert Willett Cook and Thankful Plumb Murray were mar-
ried in Springville, Erie county, N. Y., Nov. 29, 1832. Their
children were :
Hiram Henry, born Oct. 17, 1835, and died unmarried July
18, 185S.
Harriet Maria, born Nov. 19, 1837, and died unmarried Sept.
18, 1857.
3i6 hio(;raphical sketches.
Olive Bascom, born March 20, 1839 ^"^ died unmarried
August 31, 1868.
Elbert Plin}-, born Nov. 5, 1841 ; married, and living in
Havana, Schuyler count)', N. Y. Banker and miller.
Jonathan Paul, born Nov. 30, 1846; married, and lives in
Springville, Erie Co., N. Y.; a farmer.
Grace, born Oct. 11, 1855; unmarried, and lives in Havana,
Schuyler Co., N. Y.
Mrs. Thankful P., wife of Elbert W. Cook, died in Havana,
Schuyler Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1872. Elbert W. Cook and
Lucretia M. Batterson — a sister of the first wife — were married
Nov. 24, 1872, in Havana, Schuyler Co., N. Y. She died in
1883.
His father died in the service during the war of 1 8 12, leaving
his mother and six small children — four bo\\s and two girls —
destitute.
Elbert cared for himself after about ten }'ears of age. At
about fifteen, he went to learn the trades of tanning and curry-
ing, shoemaking and harness-making. During his apprentice-
ship, he earned b}' extra work enough to pay for such things as
he desired, which were not considered necessar}- for an appren-
tice in those days, and had by these extra earnings, when his
time was out, a light horse equipage, worth $80; a set of tools
for making shoes and harnesses, and $100 worth of leather.
He commenced business for himself by shoemaking, going
from family to family, as was the custom in those days. After
earning about $120, he commenced schooling himself, hereto-
fore having had very poor privileges. He spent o\'er three
years in school ; most of the time at Skancatlas, N. Y., mean-
while supporting himself.
Directly after, he, with his brothers, Charles and Hiram,
eno^aged in public works, obtaining contracts in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and New York. The compan}- to which he be-
longed, built eighteen miles complete of the Chemung Canal,
in N. Y.
Soon after he came, in compan)- with his brother Hiram, to
Springville, N. Y., and purchased the grist-mill and woolen-
mills, with adjoining lands, deeds bearing date July 10, 1831.
He also purchased divers tracts of land, and improved them, in
liloCKAl'lIKAI. SKKTCllKS. 317
all ab(iut six luiiulrcd acres. He li\cd in S])rinLj\ilIc about
thirty-six years, duriiii^ which time he rebuilt the grist-mill and
woolen-mills, enlarging their capacities. He also made man)-
other improvements.
Soon after coming to Spring\-ille, he was elected to office in
the militia and trained in the Fall as Captain, next year as
Adjutant, next as Lieutenant-Colonel, next as Colonel, which
office he held sexcral \-ears, although he twice tendered his
resignation.
lie was noted for his public spirit, doing alwa)-s what he
could to promote public welfare. Of a generous nature, he
was kind to the poor; as a rule furnishing employment to the
needy. Hard to refuse a friend, he often extended aid of a
nature that xxorked to his own disadvantage.
He was a staunch temperance man, freely spending time and
money for its benefit. His name was used by temperance men
for the Assembly, the Senate and for Congress.
In May, 1867, he moved to Havana. Schuyler county, N. Y.,
in consequence of Xhe death of his brother Charles, who died
the preceding October. A constant hard worker through life,
he adhered to the old habit instead of living at ease. He set
about improving lands and buildings there as in his own home.
For years a professed infidel, without excitement, he quietly
experienced a change and found himself in full harmony with
Christians. From this time he commenced contributing to aid
the progress of Christianity, giving liberally to churches far
and near, frequenth" outside of his own denominatior, . He
furnished the lot, prepared the ground, and erected a fine
brick structure, costing in all over $30,000, and presented it a
free gift to the Baptist church to which he belonged.
Another monument of his generosity was utilizing the Peo-
ple's College building — main part six stories, with wings four
stories, standing unoccupied. Securing title thereto he pre-
sented it to the Baptist denomination — the building and nine-
teen acres of good land and about sixty thousand dollars in
cash. To-day it is heated \\Tth steam, supplied with warm and cold
water in all the rooms, has a boarding-house, dormitories and
chapel connected with the school. Although young, it ranks
among the highest in the State for its discipline of students.
3t8 biographical sketches.
Colonel Cook, in Springville, N. Y., is as familiarly known in
Havana, N. Y., as Deacon Cook. W. v.. R.
Johnson Chase.
Johnson Chase lives in Machias. He says: My father,
Enoch Chase, came to Concord from Vermont in the Fall of
1810, and located on lot twenty, township six, range six, since
known as the Goodemote place ; he and his brother came
through with two span of horses ; C. Douglas had a log house
built on the creek above the Shultus bridge, and we lived in it
till our house was built.
During the war of 1812-15 there were living on the creek,
Christopher Douglas, David Shultus, William Shultus, Enoch
Chase, George Shultus, Moses White, Truman White, Frances
White. Within the Corporation I remember the Eaton fam-
ily, John Albro, Samuel Cochran, Joseph Yaw, Isaac Knox,
Samuel Burgess, Alva Plumb, David LeRoy, David Stannard,
Jerry L. Jenks, David Stickne}^ Dr. Daniel Ingals, Milo Ful-
ler, Elijah Perigo, Benjamin Gardner. Gardner's grist mill, I
think, was built in 1 8 14, and Milo P"uller, run a carding ma-
chine in connection with the mill.
The families east of the village were Deacon Jennings. James
Henman, the Madison family, Noah Culver on the Pingry place
and Bascom on the Dodge place.
In 1S16 we moved to Little Valley, Cattaraugus county;
there was no road south from Springville then ; we had to go
up to Richmond's, cross the creek, take the State road and go
beyond Machias, then to Ellicottville and on to Little Valley.
There was only one house between Richmond's and Franklin-
ville ; only two log houses in Ellicottx'ille, and three or four
settlers in Little Valley.
Enoch Chase, Sr., died in Little Valley in 1825.
Enoch Chase, Jr., died in Iowa in 1839.
Lyman died in Iowa.
Kimball lives in Iowa.
Statement ol" Joel Chafee.
; My father's family started from Rutland count}-, Vt., Feb. 1,
1817, and came with a yoke of o.xen and a wooden-shod sled to
1
lUOCKAI'HICAL SKKTCIIKS. 319
( )n()iRlai;a count}-; there we found bare ground and traded off
our sled and got an old wagon, and paid $20 to boot ; there
were father and mother and six children of us, and we carried
our own beds and took them in nights and laid them on the
floor and slept on them, and we carried and cooked our own
provisions and did not buy any meals on the road ; we were on
the road six weeks; some storm}' days we did not travel; we
left the Buffalo road somewhere near the Genesee river, and
came through by or near Pike and Arcade ; stayed at Peter
Sears', near Sardinia village, over night, and came down to
Richmond's the next da}- in the forenoon ; mother had walked
considerable of the wa}- and carried a child and was nearly tired
out, so father and mother and the younger children remained
at Richmond's that afternoon and night, but four of us children,
viz., Diana, Joel, Almira and Stephen, came on by ourselves,
and followed marked trees through the woods to Springville
and u}) through ^\-here we li\'e now (it was all woods here then),
and down where the Scoby bridge crosses the Cattaraugus
creek, and down a piece on the other side to Uncle Parmen-
ter's (Mrs. Parmenter was sister to our mother). When we came
to the Cattaraugus creek it was partly frozen over, but there
was a strip in the middle where the water was the deepest and
ran the swiftest that was not frozen, and there w-ere two small
poles laid across the open space. John Holdridge lived on this
side up a piece from the creek, and when we came to the house
we told Mrs. Holdridge that we w-anted to go over to Uncle
Parmenter's, and she went and called Mr. Holdridge, and he
came and took us over on the two poles, one by one, and we
went down a short distance to Uncle Parmenter's house ; if we
had undertaken to cross the creek alone, probabl}- some of us
would have been drowned.
At that time General Knox lived on the corner of Main and
W'averl}' streets. Mr. Burgess lived where George Weeden
does. Julius Bement lived on the place he so long occupied,
and kept " bachelor's hall." We lived in his house one and
three-fourths years. We had just three dollars in money when
we arrived here ; my father located on the farm we now occupy
in 1 8 19; at one time we lived on bran bread three weeks, and
we used to dig leeks and boil and eat them ; they constituted
320 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
a considerable portion of our food. My father got money to
pay his first tax by putting up a leach in one corner of the
kitchen and boiling the lye over the kitchen fire into black
salts and selling them, which was the only way we could get
money; I got my spending money by burning down hollow
trees and making salts out of the ashes.
Sophia Russell taught the first school in this district in her
father's chamber, about 1819. Before that we went to the vil-
lage to school, kept in Widow Gardner's house on East hill.
The first school house in this district was built b}' subscription
and located on Main street on the corner of Deacon Russell's
land, about 1820; that school house was moved down to the
Chafee Corners about 1822; David Bensley taught the first
school in that house.
Once father and others clubbed together and hired Mr. Bur-
gess to go to Buffalo with his oxen after some provisions ; it
took him over a week to make the trip, and among other things
he bought a tierce of flour, and it was dix'ided up according to
the amount each paid.
The Bensley's built a saw mill on the Spring brook down near
the Cattaraugus creek in 181 7.
I worked for Samuel Cochran by the month in 1827 and
helped score timber and draw brick for the old acadenn-, whicli
was built that season.
Cliarles Cliafee.
Charles Chafee was born in Claridon, Rutland count)', \"t.
His wife's maiden name was Polly Miles. They came to this
town March 15, 18 17.
Betsey, born 1802; married Elisha Eaton. Died in Concord
1880.
Diana, born 1804; died in Concord 1818.
Joel, born May, 1807.
Almira, born August, 1809; ni'H'i'ied William Blackmar.
Lives in Concord.
Stephen, born November, 181 1 ; died in Wells\'ille. Ohio in
1838.
Alanson, born November, 1813 ; married Vestina Bensle\'.
and died in Concord 1874.
I
hi()(;rai'iiical sketches. 321
Eliza, born March, 1816; married Edward Cole and li\es in
Hamburg.
Augustus, born August, 1818; married Alelinda Andrus. first
wife, and li\es in Concord.
Miles, born 1822; married Caroline Miner and li\-es in Iowa.
Adaline, born 1826; married Heman Andrus; tlied in Con-
cord in 1850, aged twenty-four.
Joel Chafee.
Joel Chafee was born in Wallingford. Vt., in 1807, came to
this town with his parents in March i8i7;'was married Oct.
II, 1832; his wife, Anna Moulton, was born in the tow 11 of
Spencer, Worcester county, Mass.
Their children were :
Augusta, born Sept. 1835 ; married Joseph Rumsey, Oct. 1855.
Bertrand, born Oct., 1837; married Jennie Richmond, 1871.
Ellen, born March, 1845 '• died, Jan., 1856.
Rurdett, born Aug. 1849; clied, Aug., 1849.
Carlos E., born July, 185 1; married, Sept., 1870, Hattie
Cochran.
Anna Chafee died Sept. 24, 1882, aged seventy years and one
month. Joel Chafee survived her but a few months, d}ing
March 14, 1883, aged seventy-five years, ten months and four-
teen days.
Bertrand Chafee.
Mr. Chafee was born in Concord, Oct. 26, 1837, where, with
the exception of two or three years' absence, he has since resid-
ed. He was reared on the farm and received his education at
the Springville Academ\'. In 1855, he engaged for a year in
the jewelry business, at Union Springs, Cayuga county N. Y.
The following two years he spent in Buffalo, first as clerk for
the Western Transportation Company, and then for the Ameri-
can Express Company. Leaving Buffalo, he returned to the
farm where he remained until 1863, when he engaged in the
general hardware trade in Springville, under the firm name of
J. Chafee & Son, which he continued for twelve years. In
1869, in company with C. J. Shuttleworth, he bought the
Springville mills, and the next year a one-half interest in the
322 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
Pike, N. Y., mills. They afterward purchased the entire Pike
mills. They dissolved partnership in 1874, Mr. Chafee taking
the Springville mills which he carried on until 1880, when he
leased them to E. L. Hoopes, having previously disposed of
his hardware interests to D. W. Bensley in 1875. He is also
the owner of several farms.
In 1870 and '71, Mr. Chafee was elected Supervisor of his
native town, both years by precisel)- the same majority, sixty-
six. In 1865, he was elected to represent the fifth Assembly
District in the Legislature, and took an active part in the pro-
ceedings of that body.
He was instrumental in getting through the Legislature the
new charter of the village, and also the bill regulating the sala-
ries of Supervisors in Erie county.
He also presented to the Legislature the bill which changed
Griffith Institute into a union free school with an academic
department. Previous to this change he was for ten years —
1866 to '76 — one of the Trustees of the Academy and for eight
years was Treasurer of the Board.
Since the organization of the S. & S. R. R. in 1878, Mr.
Chafee has been its President and General Manager.
Mr. Chafee is a Knight Templar, and in 1875 and 'jG he was
Deputy Grand Master of the Masons of the State for the dis-
trict comprising Erie county.
Mr. Chafee was married May 17, 1871, to Miss Jennie B.
Richmond, daughter of George Richmond, Sr., one of the
earliest settlers of Sardinia.
Carlos E. Chafee.
Carlos Emmons Chafee, son of Joel Chafee, was born Jul}'
2, 1 85 1, in Concord, of which town he has always been a resi-
dent. He attended school several years at the Springville
Academ\-. He is. at present conductor on the Springville and
Sardinia Railroad.
Mr. Chafee was married Sept. i, 1870, to Hattie C. Cochran,
■ daughter of Byron Cochran, Esq., of Springville.
They have two children :
Bessie E., born Aug. 1 1, 1876, and Jennie, born Sept. 28, 1880.
(J bio(;rai'iikal sketches. 323.
«Tohn K. Cliafee.
John R. Chafee, son of Alanson Chafce and Vistina Bcnsley
Chafee, was born in Concord, July 2, 1857, where he has always
resided. He was educated at Griffith Institute. Mr. Chafee
has two sisters : Louella, who married Edwin Miller, and
resides near Minneapolis, Minn., and Emma, who also resides
near Minneapolis.
Angiistus Chafee.
Augustus Chafee was born in this town in i<Si8. His father's
name was Charles Chafee ; his mother's maiden name was
Polly Miles. Mr. Chafee is a farmer and has always resided
in town. He has been married four times ; b\' his second wife
he has two children :
Sarah M. Chafee married Warren Widrig.
George W. Chafee.
By his fourth and present wife he has one child : Ella R.
Chafee.
Elder Clarke Carr.
Elder Clarke Carr was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island,
in 1774, and was married to Patty Merwin, in the same state.
He moved to Durham, Greene county, N. Y.. in 1802, and com-
menced preaching about 1803. In 18 10, he moved to Ham-
burg, Erie county, N. Y.; was called out to serve on the Nia-
gara frontier in the War of 1812, and was at Buffalo at the
time it was burned. He moved to the north part of Concord
and settled in the valley of the Eighteen-mile creek, about
1 8 14. For years he was pastor of the Boston Baptist church,
and also founded several churches in the south towns of Erie
county. He died in the Town of Concord in 1854. His wife
died in 1879, aged ninet}--four years. They had three children :
Louisa, born in Durham, Greene county, N. Y., in 1803 '< ^"^'^^
married to Samuel W. Alger in 1824, and died April 9, 1882, in
Concord.
Clark M. was born in Durham, (ireene county, N. Y., in
1805, a"d died at Galesburg, 111., in September, 1877.
Laura was born in Durham, Greene county, in 1807. She
was married to Ambrose Torre\- ; died in the town of Concord.
in October, 1881.
324 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The Carr Brothers.
The five Carr brothers, a brief mention of M'hich follows,
A\ere the sons of the late Clark M. Carr, of Galesburg, 111., a
former resident of Erie county, and <^randsons of Elder Clark
Carr, an early settler in this town, and an early preacher in this
and adjoining" towns.
Three of them attended Springville Academy and also
graduated at Knox College, 111. They all served with distinc-
tion in the Union army, and afterwards occupied prominent
positions of public trust.
Eugene A. Carr was born in Concord, N. Y.; at sixteen
years of age he went to the West Point Military academy ;
graduated high in his class ; was appointed second lieutenant
and sent to the Western frontier ; in a battle with the Sioux,
was wounded, and promoted to first lieutenant ; afterwards
received a captain's commission, which he held till the com-
mencement of the Rebellion, when he was promoted to colonel.
He served under Generals Lyon in Missouri and Grant at
Vicksburg, where he was wounded, and promoted to brevet
brigadier-general, ^\'hich title he held during the War. At the
close of the W^ar, he was sent b}- the Government to Europe to
inspect military fortifications. As an officer of the regular
army, he is now stationed in Arizona. He married Mary Mc-
Connel, daughter of General McConnel, of St. Louis. The}'
ha\e one son, Clark N.
B\'r()n O. Carr was born in Concord, N. Y. During the
Rebellion, he was quartermaster in the Arm}- of the South-
west, with the rank of colonel. After the War, he ^^•as
appointed superintendent of the Ogden division of the Union
Pacific Railroad, which he held four years ; subsequently, he
was government steamboat inspector on the Mississippi river; he
now resides in St. Helena, Cal. He was married in 1854 to
Mary E. Buck, of Galesburg, 111.
Horace M. Carr was born in Boston, N. Y.; after gradu-
ating at Knox College he graduated at Hamilton College;
entered the ministry ; served as chaplain in the Union army
during the War: is noA\- preaching at Parsons, Kansas.
Clark E. Carr was born in Boston, N. Y.; after gradu-
ating at Knox College, he graduated at the Poughkeepsie Law j
i
I!I()(;rai'iirai. skktciiks. 325
school : j)racticctl law at (lalcsburg, 111.; was a])])oiiUcd aide-
de-camj) on (io\crnor Nates' staff, and occuj)icd that position
durin^f the War; is now postmaster at (lalesburi;", which posi-
tion lie has held twenty-five years.
George P. Carr, son of Clark M. Carr. b\' his second wife,
was born in Buffalo, N. Y. He served as cajitain in the Union
ami}- during the War, and at its close was ajJiJointed by Presi-
dent Johnson parish judi;'e in Louisiana ; while occupying this
position he met his deatli in. a m\-sterious manner, jjrobabl)' a
victim of the intense political feeling" rife at that time. He
possessed literary talent and was the author of two books of
poems : "The Ri\er of Life," and " The Contest."
Clark Family.
Abraham Clark, Jr., father of Alanson Clark, Lsq., of this
town, was born in the town of (jloucester, Providence count)',
R. L, June 14, 1790, being the fifth in a family of ten children,
was married to Alice Blackmar, who was born in Thompson,
Windham count}'. Conn., AjM'il 24, 1795, Feb. 18, 1816; resided
in his nati\'e town till November, 181 8, when, with his family
consisting of his wife and one child, he emigrated " west " to
what was then the town of Concord, Niagara count}', N. \\
"Taking up " a piece of land containing one hundred acres,
part of lot fourteen, range eight, township seven, being about
one mile from Langford postoffice, in what is now the town of
North Collins; he afterwards sold his claim and removed to
land situated in the the same town, part of lot twelve, township
se\'en, range eight; here he resided till his wife died, July 2,
1853; shortly after this he disposed of his farm to his sons^
Lyman and Alanson.
April 29, 1854, he was again married to Mrs. Julia M. Wright,
and removed to the east part of the town on the Genesee road,
near the present Concord line; remaining here but a short time
he removed to Evans Center, Erie county, where he continued
to reside till his death, April 25, 1864; he and his first wife were
both active members of the F. B. church.
By his first wife he had ten children, as follows;
L}'man, born in Gloucester, R. L, Nov. 16, 1816; married to
Emih'. tlaughter of Abram Coneer, of Shirle\'; now lives at
326 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Princeton, Green Lake' county, Wis.; previous to his removal
he was for some time Justice of the Peace, and was Supervisor
of the town of North Collins in 1856-7.
Anna, born in Collins, Erie county, N. Y., May 7, 1819; died
Oct. 16, 1822.
Emily, born March 6, 1822; died Nov. 13, 1838.
Alanson, born April 3, 1B24.
Hiram, born June 4, 1826.
Alban, born March 19, 1829; is married and lives at Prince-
ton, Wis.
William, born April 19, 1831 ; died in Princeton, Wis., Oct.
3, 1863.
Susan, born May 26, 1833; died Oct. 7, 1834.
Julia A., born Feb. 12, 1836; died Feb. 13, 1854.
Henry Clay, born July 13, 1839; died May 3, 1853.
By his second wife :
Julia Clayanna, born Aug. 3, 1855 ; lives in Buffalo with her
mother and half sister, Mrs. Eunice Dole.
Alanson, fourth child of Abraham Clark, has always resided
within the limits of this history, being the only one of his fath-
er's family now a resident of this State, except the half sister
just mentioned who resides in Buffalo. He was married at
Hamburg, N. Y., by Esquire White, Feb. 26, 1854, to Flora
Palmerton (born Aug. 6, 1831), daughter of William Palmer-
ton, a brother of Joshua and Henry Palmerton, all of whom
were early settlers of the town of Collins, Joshua having settled
near Collins Center in the Spring of 18 10, the others following
soon after. The Palmertons came from Danby, Vt., and are
supposed to be of English origin.
William Palmerton married Floranna Delezenne, who was, as
her name indicates, French descent ; they had eleven children,
four of whom, Betsey, Nathan, Flora and John, are residents
of this county.
Delezenne Palmerton, the eldest, lives at Muskegan, Mich.
George Edward Palmerton went to California during the gold
excitement, and has not been heard from in twenty-five years,
and is supposed to be dead.
The other members of the family not mentioned are now
deceased.
HIOGRAI'lIICAl. SKETCHES. 327
Their children arc as follows :
Willis (iaylord, born Nov. 10, i«S54.
Riley Hiram, born Feb. 4, 1857.
George William, born May 26. i<S5<S.
Mr. Clark lixcs one-half mile east of W'oodward's Hollow
(which is his postoffice), on \\hat has ever been known as the
Genesee road, is a farmer, and owns a dair\- farm of 275 acres.
Willis Gaylord Clark graduated at the Oberlin, O., Commer-
cial college in August, 1874; has taught school considerable,
and in the Fall of 1881 was a candidate for School Commis-
sioner in the third district of Erie county. He holds the office
of Justice of the Peace, to which he was elected in 1882.
Joiiatlian O. Caiifield.
Jonathan O. Canfield, was born Sept. 30, 181 1, in Ulster
county, N. Y. His father, Jonathan Canfield, was a minister.
His mother's maiden name was M£.rcyJHolly. When Mr. Can-
field was nine years old, the family moved to Boston, N. Y.,
where they lived twelve years ; they then removed to Genesee
count}-, where the}' lived six }'ears ; they next removed into
this town, where Mr. Canfield has since resided. The follow-
ing is Mr. Canfield's family record:
PARENTS.
I
Jonathan Canfield, born Nov. 6, 1765 ; married July 15. 1787 :
died Dec. 9, 1851.
Merc}' Holl}', born April 9, 1771 ; died Now 25, 1855.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Silvanus, born May 11, 1788; married Feb. 17, 1815, to
Abigail Wood; died June 7, 1848.
Josiah, born Sept. 14, 1789; married March 13, 1814, to Mary
Crosby; died June 22, 1854.
Sillick, born Sept. 12, 1791 ; married Jan. 22, 18 14, to Susan-
na Tousey ; died Sept. 20, 1865.
Wealthy, born Oct. 22, 1793 ; married Dec. 26, 1819, to Josh
Baker; died Dec. 21, 1824.
Mylo, born Oct. 7, 1796; married Jan. i, 1826, to Electa
Landon ; died March 13, 1826.
328 BIOGRArHICAL SKETCHES.
Watee, born March 31, 1799; married Nov. 13, 1853, to
Hiram Moore; died December, 1855.
Sally, born May 31, 1801 ; died Au^. 27, 1826.
Rebecca, born June 18, 1804; married Nov. 11, 1827, to
John B. Landon ; died May 14, 1874.
Jane, born July 28, 1807; died Sept. 17, 1809.
Oliver, born Oct. 22, 1809; married May 17, 1837, to Lau-
rilla Hopkins; died May 10, 1865.
Jonathan O., born Sept. 30, 181 1; married first, Sept. 7,
1843, to Elvira Horton ; second. May 15, 1877, to Elizabeth
Waterman.
CHILDREN.
*Ray H., born July 16, 1844; married 1873 to Lydia Booth.
Moses H., born Nov. 2, 1847; married 1872 to Melissa
McCullor.
G. l^ruce, born June 21, 1850; married 1874 to Kate Brooks.
Paul, born Sept. 21, 1855.
*Ray H., is a graduate of Eastman's Business College.
Vincent M. Cole's Statement.
I was born Sept. 19, 1814; came to this town in 1817; my
wife's name was Julia Squires, daughter of Seely Squires; she
was born in Concord, and died in 1840; I was married to my
present wife, Catherine Ostrander, in 1842 ; am a farmer. My
father's name was Aaron Cole ; m\- mother's maiden name was
Sarah C. Gates. My father was left an orphan at an early
date, and removed to Concord in 18 17, and lived with Orrin
Sibley one Winter, and then built a log house on a farm of
fift}' acres, one-half mile east of Orrin Sibley's. He moved into
the log house and went to Hamburg and got a pig and brought
him home under his arm, and put him in a pen near the house.
One night the pig squealed and mother went out and found a
bear at the pen. She got a fire-brand and threw at him and he
left. Soon after the bear came again and mother dro\-e him
off, and left some fire burning near the pen ; but the bear came
a third time and got the pig, and killed and eat him up. Some
of the neighbors built a bear pen of logs, near where the \'os-
burg cheese factory now stands, and caught two young bears.
The wolves used to kill our sheep and we could not keep sbeeo
JJKjdRAl'IIICAI. SKKICIIKS. 329
unless wc put them in a close pen at nis^lu near the house.
There was j)lent}' ot wild s^anie in the woods, our dot^' killed
several deer alone, when the snow was deep and the crust would
bear the doi^. When he killed one he ^\■ould come to the
house and we would follow him back and t^et the deer. We
had all the venison and bear meat we wanted. We planted
and raised a good crop of corn among the logs and stumps, by
planting the corn w ith an old axe. The)' had three children :
Li/.ette, born in Concord in 1842, married Thomas Ui)ham.
Ella, married Addison Lonsbury.
Jolin is a dentist and li\es in Collins Center.
AIiiioii I>. Conger.
Mr. Conger was born in Danb\', Vermont, Jan. 12, 1815 ; of
Quaker ancestr}'. He was a son of Noah Conger and Hannah
Griffith Conger. Mr. Conger came to Collins in 1838, where
he resided until 1877, when he removed to Springville. While
a resident of Collins he was engaged chiefl}' in farming, but for
some years past his business has been loaning money and buy-
ing and selling real estate. He was Assessor in Collins twenty-
one years. Mr. Conger was a brother of the Hon. Anson G.
Conger. He was married in 1839 to Sophronia Potter, daugh-
ter of Peter Potter, formerly of Granxille, N. Y. They have
had six children, xiz. :
Noah, born April 26, 1841 ; died, A])ril 27, 1873.
Hannah M., born Aug. 31, 1844.
Lydie E., born Now 7, 1847 ! ciied July 8, 1868.
Andrew W., born June 5, 1850; married Florence Clark,
daughter of Timoth)- Clark, and resides on the homestead farm
in Collins.
Albert PI., born Oct. 24, 1857.
Jessie M., born Dec. 15, 1859; married Russell F. Prjant .
resides in Spring\ille.
Mr. Conger is, in the full accejitation of the term, " a self-
made man." He began his successful career in humble cir-
cumstances, and b)' his own unaided efforts he has secured to
himself and posterity a \'ery handsome competence. He
informs the writer that the first jnone)' he possessed he earned
of a neighboring farmer by chopping by the month, and that
330 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in his early years he made it a rule to lay up something each
year over and above his expenses.
George D. Conger.
Mr. Conger was a son of Abram Conger, who was one of
four brothers that came to Collins in the Spring of 1817. He
(Abram Conger) was married in June, 1830, to Anna Hunt.
Four of their children are now living, viz.:
Emily married Lyman Clark ; reside at Princetown. Wis.
Mary Jane married Charles Bartholomew ; reside in North
Collins.
Fidelia married John Goodell ; since died.
George D. Conger was born Dec. 10, 1842, in Collins. His
time until eighteen years of age was spent on the farm and
attending school. On the 8th of August, 1861, he enlisted in
the Forty-Fourth New York Volunteers, Company A ; was
corporal, and took part in every engagement in which his regi-
ment was engaged in, except an interval of six weeks in July
and August, 1862, when he was confined in the hospital. He
was slightly wounded at the Battle of Gettj'sburg ; was mus-
tered out of the service Oct. 12, 1864. He was married Feb.
16, 1865, to Diantha Sampson, and engaged in farming in Con-
cord. He has at present upon his farm fifty acres of apple
orchard. In the Spring of 1883, he moved to Springville, N.
Y., and became a dealer in carriages, wagons, agricultural
implements and farm produce. He has one daughter. Cora
May, born Aug. 10, 1869.
.Tames Curtis.
James Curtis was originally from W'illington, Conn. He
came to Concord in 1832, from Onondaga county, and located
on lot forty-three, township seven, range six, on Sharp street,
buying his land of Jonathan Mayo. He married Mar}- Marcy,
a cousin of Governor Marcy of New York. They had four chil-
dren :
Zebadiah married Lovice Hall, and died in Concord, about
1 840.
Nancy Maria married Erastus Mayo, and died about 1849,
HIOCRAPHICAl. SKK'ICHKS. 33 I
leaving seven children, viz.: William, Louisa, James, Miner\a,
Rufus, Cornelia and Delia.
William T. married Charlotte* Williams first, and Angeline
Williams second. He died in 1882. in Aurora, Krie count)-;
no children.
Origin 1). Curtis.
Origin D. Curtis was born June 27, 18 1 8, in Onandaga
county and came to Concord in 1831 ; \\as married the Fall of
1839 t*^ Lucy Ma)'(). He li\'ed in Concord till the Spring of
1850, when he moved to Machias ; to Otto, N. Y., in 1864, and
back to Springville in 1872. hi the Spring of 1881, he went to
the Red Ri\'er \alley, Polk county, Minnesota, and purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land. He is a farmer and car-
penter by occupation. He has eight children, viz.:
Mar)- C. married L. B. Churchill.
Julia L. married James Jackson ; reside in Waupaca, Wis.
Dora married William H. Jackett ; reside in Mansfield, Cat-
taraugus count)-.
Jonathan V. married Adda Chase ; reside in Salamanca, N. V.
Henr\' married Estelle Stanbro ; reside in Concord.
Edwin married Ida W^idrig; reside in Springville.
Willis H. married Rosa Barse ; reside in Polk county, Minn.
George married Etta Widrig ; reside in Springville.
Mr. Curtis' father, James Curtis, died in Machias,, Cattarau-
gus county, in 1863. His wife died in Concord about 1878.
Robert Currau.
Mr. Curran was born in Dundalf, Ireland, in 1780: came to
Ulster count)', N. V., wlieti thirteen years of age ; from there
to Tioga county, N. Y., and to the nortii part of Concord in
182 1, where he resided until his death, in 1865. Mr. Curran
Avas one of a famil)- of seven. When he came to Concord, Bos-
ton corners was called Torrey's corners, and there were but
three frame houses on the Boston road in the vicinity of the
corners. Mr. Curran had five children :
Mrs. A. P. Ellis of East Concord.
Caroline, who died in 1861.
William Curran, Esq., of Boston.
Hiram and Mar)- Curran, also of Boston.
332 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHP:S.
James F. Craiidall.
James F. Crandall was born March 20, 1797, in Newport^
Rhode Island. His father, WilHam Crandall, followed the
ocean, and was captain of a merchant vessel that sailed from
Newport. James F. married Maria W. Edwards, who was born
in Newport, R. I., also. They came to Concord in 1821. Mr.
Crandall was a weaver by trade and worked in a factor}- in
Rhode Island. He worked in a factory after he came here,
and also kept hotel several years, and was engaged in trade in
this town and Aurora. He died in Spingville, April 20, 1873,
aged seventy-six years. His wife, Maria W. Edwards, died May
20, 1855.
Their children were :
George E.
Sarah G., born Jul)' 16, 18 19, in Rhode Island ; married
Major Wells and died here about 1844.
Abajail P., born Feb. 13, 1822, here; married A. H. N\ ing,
lives in Chicago.
Emeline, born May 15, 1824, here.; married D. G. Vorce ;
died in Chicago about 1877.
Augustus, born June 2, 1831, here.
Augusta, born June 2. 1S31, here; married William Murray;
died in California about 1865.
George E. Crainlall.
George E. Crandall ^\'as born in Providence, R. I., Jul}- 16,
1 8 16. Came to this town with his parents in 1821. He was
married to Polly M. Harvey in Springville, Dec. 22, 1836. He
has resided in Spring\Mlle about sixt\--two years. He is a prac-
tical jeweler, and has carried on the business many years. He
has also carried on the gunsmith business, and has sometimes
been engaged in farming.
His children are :
James F., born Oct. 25, 1837; married Clara Tillotson ;
resides in New York city, is a jeweler.
Norman E., May 24, 1849; married Ursula Hammond;
resides in Ashford, is a farmer.
L.emuel G., born July 30, 1843 ; married Loretta Hunt ; she
died in 1877 ; is a jeweler.
I'.KXiKAl'IlICAI, SKKTCIIKS. 333
Nelson H., born May 29, 1845 I married Antoinette Casey;
they have one child, Rianca ; resides in Sprin^ville and is a
jeweler.
Ellen M., born June 12, 1847 ; married Wilh'am R. l)e Pli}- :
resides at Sea Cliff, L. I. ; he is a la\\\xM-.
George A., born Sept. 17, 1847; married Sarah Dorse)-;
resides at Holland ; he is a jeweler.
William C, May 20, 1853.
Ebeiiezer S. (*a<ly, Statoinoiit.
Ebenezer S. Cady was born in the town of Chatham, Colum-
bia county, N. Y. Came to the village of Springville in 1858 ;
is a carpenter and joiner ; was married at Schu}-ler, Herkimer
county, N. Y., in 1840, to Miss Mary Oyer, who was born in
1817 at Schuyler, Herkimer county, N. Y. My father, Arnold
Cad)', was born at Chatham, Columbia county, and serx^ed as
volunteer of marines in defence of the New York harbor in
the war of 1812. My mother's maiden name was Sarah Hunt.
She was born in Washington, Vt. Grandfather's name was
Ebenezer Cady ; he was a Captain in the war of the Revolu-
tion. Grandmother's maiden name was Chloe Beebe. She
was born in Connecticut. The house my grandfather built in
Chatham in 1761 and '62, was built of pine timber, was taken
down in 1824 and the timber used in building the Presbyterian
meeting house in the village of Spencertown, Columbia county,
N. Y. In this house my grandfather's two sons and fi\'e daugh-
ters were born. The outside doors were made of pine boards,
two thicknesses, cut into horizontalh' about half-way of their
height, and at night barred on the inside with a stick. On the
farm was an oak grove where the people assembled on the Sab-
bath to worshi}) (they were Presbyterians), until the)' built a
church on his farm, the first church in Chatham. This building
was moved to Chatham four corners, a distance of one and one-
half miles. The building was put on runners and under the
runners small sticks were placed for rollers, and many ox teams
were hitched to each of the runners and in that way the build-
ing was drawn to the spot and for many years the followers of
the lowly Nazarene met at this humble church and offered
their devotions to the God of Abraham, till finally later gen-
334 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
erations have sold the old church for a sheepfold. and built
another church exhibiting more pride than piety.
They had six children :
Lucy A., born in 1840 and died in 1872.
Sarah J., born in 1844; married Newela French.
Maryette, born in 1847 -^^^^ died in 1850.
Cassius M., born in 1850 and died in 1871.
Ellen G., born in 1853; married Gardner Berry.
William S., born in 1856 and li\-es in Kalkaska, Mich.
James A. Cranston.
Arnold C. Cranston, father of the subject of this sketch, was
born in Rhode Island March 17, 1799, and was married about
1 82 1 to Miss Selinda, who was born in Massachusetts July 20,
1804. They came here from Madison county, N. Y., in 1834,
and settled a few miles north of Springville on the farm now
owned by his son, James A., where he lived until his death in
1869. which was caused by the falling of a limb of a tree which
he was felling. His wife died Aug. 2, 1877. They had four
children, all but one of whom were born in Massachusetts:
Monroe, born April i, 1822; died in 1822.
Almeda G., born Feb. 17, 1825 ; married Lysander Needham.
Harriet L., born Nov. 22. 1833; married Wilbur Stanbro.
James A. Cranston was born Aug. 27. 1828, in Massachu-
setts, and came with his parents to Concord in 1834. He is a
carpenter and joiner and worked at his trade a great many
years, but at the present time confines himself exclusively to
farming. He was married in 1857 to Miss Polly M. Wilcox,
They have four children :
Fred. A., born in 1859; married Jennie Widrig, and lives in
East Concord.
Mar\', born in 1865.
Nellie, born in 1867.
Lemuel, born in 1869.
Calkins Family.
Elisha Calkins and wife (Elizabeth Cross) came from Ver-
mont and settled in Clinton county, N. V. In the Fall of 1828
thev moved to Buffalo ; not liking the low lands in the vicinity
HIOCRAI'HICAL SKETCHES. 335
they only .sta)'ed through the Winter, and in the Sprin*;' of
1829 came to the town of Golden and settled on a farm on
South hill. Their family consisted of eight children, 01i\'e,
Polly, William, Moses, Sally, Harrison, John and Hetse)-. The
girls married and settled in Golden ; two of them are still living
there, Mrs. Thomas BufTum and Mrs. Jesse Hedges.
Moses married Elizabeth Abbott, and settled on the hill : he
is now living at Golden village, but very feeble ; he has one
son, A. G. Galkins, living in Buffalo.
John married Susan Southworth, of Boston, and li\ed on a
farm on the hill. In the Fall of 1856 was kicked by a horse
and died of injuries received, leaving two sons, John D. and
Earl, who are now living at South Bend, Ind.
Harrison married Elizabeth Gunningham, of Goncord, and
lived on the hill near Glenwood ; he died of consumption in
1853, ^^^ 1^'ft one son, Hon. Elisha G. Galkins, now li\'ing at
Kearney Gity, Nebraska.
William A. cleared a farm in the town of Goncord, attending
the Springville academy in 1833, when Parsons was Principal
His health failing, he went down to Staten Island and taught
school one year, and married Eliza Randolph Rollo, of Staten
Island ; he came back and went to farming on his farm in Gon-
cord and lived there about five years, sold out and moved into
the town of Golden, where he is still living. He had fi\e chil-
dren, two sons (dying in infancy) and three daughters :
Jane Rollo married Harry Foote.
Maria married A. G. Galkins, and Ii\'es in Buffalo.
Julia married A. J. Swcetapple and li\es in Elma.
Frederick Crary.
Mr. Grary was born in Wallingford, Rutland count)-, Vt., in
1802. His grandfathers, William Grary and John Sweetland,
were both soldiers of the Revolution, the latter taking part in
the battle of Bunker Hill. Mr. G. first came to the region
then called Concord about 1819; subsequently, about 1820, in
the capacity of a showman, he accompanied the first elephant
that was ever exhibited in Springville. He was first mar-
ried in Scipio, Gayuga county, N. Y., to Wealthy Ann Durkee.
336 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
She dying, he was married a second time to Louisa Richmond,
by whom he had children as follows:
Marion, who died at six years of age.
Charles S., who served as Captain of Compan)' F, One Hun-
dred and Sixteenth regiment New York State volunteers during
the Rebebellion he died in Springville in March, 1865.
Ann, married Andrew Neff; resides in Ashford, N. Y.
Charlotte, married Eugene Mills, and afterwards died, leav-
ing two daughters.
While a resident of Sardinia Mr. Crary served three terms as
Justice of the Peace, and one term in Springville.
Cyrus Cheney.
Cyrus Cheney came here from Massachusetts about 1816.
He married Rebecca Sawyer and lived here a number of years
and then went back to Massachusetts. When gold was dis-
covered in California he went there and remained a few years
and died soon after he returned. The\' had three children,
Abigail, Sally and .Vugustus.
Isaac B. Cliilds.
Isaac B. Childs was born Oct. 13, 1823, in the town of Con-
cord, and has always resided in this town, and b)' occupation a
cooper and farmer. Was married to Marsha A. Brown, who
was the mother of his two children : Ellen M., wife of" George
B. Baker and Charles F. Childs. She died Nov. 22, 1861. His
second wife, Mary Ann Jones, died March 12, 1866, leaving no
children. His third wife, PLmily Pratt, mother of Lowell
Childs, died Feb. 10, 1873. He was married to his present
wife, Catherine Oyer, March 10, 1875. His father's name was
Lewis Childs; his mother's maiden name was Deborah Starks,
daughter of Jedediah Starks. His father removed from Deerfield,
Mass., in 1832, and settled on the farm now owned by George
Weeden, one and one-half miles north-west from Springville
and worked at coopering. Her also opened and worked a stone
cjuarry on his farm and for many years furnished stone for a
large number of the buildings in Springville and surrounding-
country. He subsequentl}' sold his farm and removed to
liiOdRAiMiicAi, sKKrciii<:s. 337
SprinL;"\'ilIc, where he continued to reside until the time of his
death, in 1853. His mother died July 5, 1873.
Ellen M. Childs was born March 2t, 1850.
Charles F. Childs was born June 18, 1854.
Lowell Childs was born Feb. 3, 1873.
Colburii Family.
Orlin Colburn was born at Charlestown, Montgomery county,
N. Y., June 13, 18 16. When a boy six years of age, he came
with his parents to Collins, May 20, 1822. The family moved
into an old log school-house, situated on what is now called
"Scrabble Hill;" In 1837 he was married to Miss Jane Pea-
body, who died in 1847, leaving a family of five children, all of
whom are dead except one. Erastus Colburn was born Dec.
25, 1841. He enlisted at the commencement of the war, served
four years and came home unhurt. In 1867 he married the
daughter of Captain Davis, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and in 1868,
emigrated to Marysville, Kansas, where he has since been
engaged in farming.
Ezra Colburn, the second son of the family, enlisted in 1 861,
was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness and died
from starvation at Libby prison.
Orlin Colburn married his second wife, Sarah Ackley, of the
town of Persia, Cattaraugus county. Farming has been the
principal occupation of his life. Has five children by his sec-
ond wife, viz : John C, born May 2, 1850, married Mar)^ A.
Hawks in 1874. They have three children.
Caswell C. resides at Wheeler Hollow, N. Y.
O. J. Colburn was born May 6, 1852, in Concord, N. Y., was
married in 1:^79. ^^^ Mary E. Morton, who was born Sept. 3,
1856.
Peter Colburn was born April 29, 1854; married Mary A.
Sutherland, in 1868.
Lowell M. Ciiiiiniiiig's.
Lowell M. Cummings was born in 1847, ''^ the town of War-
ren, Mass. Came to Springville in 1870, where he was married
in 1870, to Miss Kate Emmons, daughter of Dr. Carlos Em-
mons.
17
338 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
His father's name was John F. Cummings ; his mother's
maiden name was JuHa Graves. His ^grandfather's name was
John G. Cummings ; his grandmother's maiden name was
Sarah Burroughs. ,
Until the age of fifteen years he remained at home with his
father's family and attended the Alfred University. Then, in
the years 1863 and 1864, went to New Hampshire and attended
Phillips Academy at Exeter, during the years 1865 and 1866,
then came to Springville and engaged in mercantile business.
Subsequently read law and was admitted as an attorney and
counselor-at-law in 1877, leaving since practiced his profession
at Springville, N. Y. His children are:
Caroline J. Cummings, born April 29, 1878.
Carlos Emmons Cummings, born Aug. 7, 18/8.
Charles D. Cummings, born July 5, 1880.
Giles Clmrchill.
Giles Churchill was born at Cherry Valley, N. Y., March 12,
1786. His father Stephen Churchill was at the burning of
Cherry Valley by the Indians and Tories in 1778. His moth-
er's maiden name was Esther Loyd.
At twenty-one Mr. Churchill began the study of medicine at
Penfield, N. Y. He studied and practiced there until 18 12,
when he came to this town and bought land of the Holland
Company, where the late Calvin Smith lived at the time of his
death. He served as a soldier on the Niagara frontier in 1812.
He practiced medicine some in Springville, and taught school
twelve terms in the vicinity. But his principal occupation was
farming to which he gave his attention until his death in 1872.
He was married in 18 1 3 to Abigail Toocker. Their children
were :
Eliza Ann married Prentice Stanbro ; died in 1869.
Emeline died when young.
Stephen G. married Margaret W'idrig; reside in Wisconsin.
Marcus B.
Marons B. Churoliill.
Marcus B. Churchill was born in this to^\•n in 1825. He is a
farmer, and has always resided in town. He has filled the
liKKiKAi'iiicAi. ski: r( I IKS. 339
office of 1 Ii<;"h\\a\' Commissioner two terms. Mr. Churchill
married Arminda VanCamp in 1849. Their children are :
Libbie, married Javan Clark, reside in tow n.
Charles W., married Jennie Adams, reside in tow n.
I'^mma, marrietl Spencer \\'idri<4\ reside in town.
Benjamin Criiinp.
Mr. Crump was born in Hereford count}. En^^land, May 28.
1800. He was married in 1830 to t{,lizabeth Lewis, in 1835,
Mr. C. and his wife .sailed from Liverpool, FLngland ; after a
voyage of thirt\" fi\e days, the}' landed June i6th, at Amboy,
N. J. They resided about four years at New Brunswick, N.
J., then about two years in Buffalo and Canada. In 1838, came
to the nortli part of Concord, where he located. He afterwards
moved onto the premises where he now resides, which is situ-
ated parti}' in Concord and partly in Colden ; the dwelling
house standing on the town line. He, and his son, Robert,
who resides with him, consider themselves residents of Colden.
They had a family of four boys and five girls :
John L., born in England in 1831 ; married Anna Johnson ;
resides in Concord.
Benjamin F., born in 1833 ; married Alanth}- Youngs ; resides
in Minnesota.
Samuel, born in 1835 : died in June, 1854.
Harriet, born in 1837; married William Brink; resides in
Colden.
Elizabeth, born in 1839; niarried John Corning; resides in
Buffalo.
Susan, born in 1841 ; married Charles Chandler ; resides in
Minnesota.
Kate, born in 1843; married Charles Cross; resides in
Sardinia.
Sarah, born in 1845 - niarried James E. King; resides in Iowa.
Robert, born in 1847; niarried Irene Williams; resides in
Colden.
Vi<-t<>r ('(>ll:ii'<l.
Victor Collard was born in Rambruck, Luxemburg, German}',
in 1832 ; came to this country in 1857 ; was fort}'-eight da}'s cross-
ing from Antwerp to New York. He came from New York to
340 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Springville and went to work for Stowel Collins in a carriage
shop for one year. He had learned his trade and worked at the
business in the old country; he then went to Sardinia and
worked at the carriage business since that time ; he was drafted
into the army in 1862. but hired a substitute for three hundred
dollars to take his place; he Avas married Mayi i, 1865, to Miss
Barbara Hery, of North Collins (in which town she was born.)
Their children are : Carl Collard, Lizzie Collard, Victor Col-
lard, jr., and John Collard.
J. Li. Cohen.
J. L. Cohen was born in 1854, in Russia, Poland, near War-
saw ; came to Buffalo in 1861 ; is a merchant; was married in
1875, and came to live at Springville, August. 1871 ; his wife's
maiden name was Rebecca Gumbinsky ; he was naturalized in
1879. H^s brother, A. S. Cohen, was a soldier in the Russian
service for eight years ; was on duty most of the time in the
Calcassia mountains and now resides in Buffalo. His mother's
brother, Moses Vortensky, was taken by the Russian military
authorities, at the age of ten years, and kept in the military
service for twenty-five years. Mr. Cohen came direct from
Hamburg to New York, in the German steamship '• Cimbria."
His children are :
Betsey Cohen, born Oct. 14, 1876, at Springville.
Abe Cohen, born Jan. 16, 1879, ^^ Springville.
Anna Cohen, born Aug. 3, 1 881, at Springville.
Cliapiu Family.
William Chapin came here and took up land on lot 45 on
Sharp street, at an early date, and his father and mother's
sisters and brothers came to reside with him. William was a
carpenter and joiner by trade. His brother, Roswell Chapin,
was Surrogate of this county for several years, and his sisters,
Mary and Lucy, were early school teachers in this town, teach-
ing on Townsend hill and several other places. Thc\- lived
here fifteen or twenty years and then moved away.
W. H. (lose.
W. H. Close was born Nov. ij,, 1835. His father's name was
Clark Close ; his mother's maiden name was Jane Powell ; he
HiodRAniUAr. sKi-yrciiES.
341
was married Jul\' 9, 1S57, to I. aura A. Burnai). Thc\- had six-
children :
JuHa .\., born June 14, 185S; married Nathan llilh
Lillie M., born Feb. 7, i ^6o.
Tracey B., born Dec. 11, i!^63.
Minnie B., born Sept. 12, 1S67.
Ada D., born Oct. 4, 1 870.
Emma A., born Au<;-. 3, 1^77; died Oct. 16, 1S77.
Ash Cary.
Asa Cary came to this town in the .Spring of 1 809. He
bought land on lot four, township six, range six, where Harri-
son Pingrcy now lives. He built a house and lived there with
his family that Summer. In the following Autumn he traded
lands with a man by the name of Calvin Doolittle and moved
to Boston, where he afterwards lived and died.
Truman, the eldest of his large family of children, Avas elected
Member of Assembly in 1839, besides holding many other
ofifices of trust during his life. He died at his home in Boston
in 1880.
Drake.
COAT OK ARMS OF THK AMIKNT FAMU.Y OF DRAKE.
Motto: — Aquila Xo)i Capit Miiscas.
The Drakes are of English origin, and. according to the old
English genealogists, the famil)- is one of great antiquit)-. As
early as the Norman conquest (1066) several families of the
name were possessors of large estates in the County of Devon,
342 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
England. The coat of arms at the head of this sketch and
accompanying motto, would indicate an origin perhaps dating
back to the Roman invasion of Britain.
Of the EngHsh Drakes, Sir Francis, the distinguished naviga-
tor, was the most eminent. Of his descendants, two brothers,
R.obert and John Drake, came to America in 1630. From these
two brothers descended the Drakes of America. The)' were
members of the council of Plymouth, and came at first to Bo.s-
ton, Mass. John finall)^ settled at Windsor, Conn. Of his
numerous descendants in Connecticut was Ebenezer Drake, a
soldier of the old French and Indian war. He was born in
Windsor, Conn., and died there in .'776. He had a family of
eight children, as follows: Mehitable, Ebenezer, Hezekiah,
James, Lyman and Clarrissa (twins), Ira and Reuben. Of these
Hezekiah, Lyman and Reuben e\'entually settled in Concoid,
N. Y., and from them ha\'e descended all the Drakes now liv-
ing there.
The family of Drakes which lived in the earlier histor}' of Con-
cord, a short distance north of Springville, belonged to a dis-
tinct branch of the famil}'.
Lyman Drake came from Otsego county, N. Y., in 18 10, and
purchased two hundred acres of land near the Eighteen-mile
creek, in the north part of Concord. The to\\n line subse-
quently run left half of his purchase in the town of Boston-
He was an industrious and energetic pioneer ; he planted the
first orchard in that part of the town ; but his pioneer labors
Mere brought to a close in 18 18. He was born in 1772. His
widow whose maiden name was Irena Cole, survived him
many years. Their children's names were as follows :
Lyman, Jr., Isaac, Wheeler, Polly, Cordelia, Ebin, Daniel,
George and Eliza. Of these, Cordelia, Daniel, George and
Eliza, are the onh" surviving ones
Wheeler Drake was born Dec. 4, 1799. and came to Concord
with his father's family in 1810. For ten or fifteen }'ears pre-
x'ious to his death, which occurred in 1869, he resided on a por-
tion of his original homestead farm. He was married about
1833, to Mrs. Sarah Humphrey, daughter of Edward Church-
ill, Sen. They had three sons, Lyman, Edward C. and Mar-
.shall C, who reside near the old homestead.
]U()C;RAriIKAI, SKKTCIIKS. 343
(ieor^c W. Drake was born March 22, 1S15. in Concord,
where he resided many years as a farmer. lie now resides at
{lambur<^, N. V. He married Jane Humphrey, wlio is now
dead. They had six children, \iz : Austin, married Margaret
Murrax'; IIumj)hre}', married Alice Mawle\'; Sarah, married
Walter Chubbuck ; Jennie, married William Olin ; George VV.
Jr., a talented young man, who died at Fargo, Dakota, in 1883,
and Ida.
Hezekiah Drake was born in 1767. Became from Oneida
count)', N. v., in 1821, to Concord, and located near the Eigh-
teen-mile creek, in the north part of the town, where he lived
until his death, in 1848. He was married in Vermont, in 1802,
to Judeth Prescott, b\- whom he had children as follows:
Freeman, L\'dia, John, Isaac, Rhoda, Ebenezer H., Ira E.,
and Mar\'. All but the two youngest were born in Vermont.
Freeman, Isaac and Rhoda are dead.
Plbenezer H. Drake was born in Vermont, in 1812. When
a \-oung man he taught school successful!}' in the south towns
of Erie county, for a number of years and subsequently was
jailor at the county jail and an overseer in the Buffalo peniten-
tiar)-. He was married in 1843 to Marj- Goodrich. They have
two daughters : Amelia, married to Delos H. Townsend, resides
in Seneca county, N. Y., and Melinda.
Ira E. Drake was born in Oneida count}', N. Y., March.
1817, and was consequently four years of age when his parents
removed to Concord, where he has since lived. He was mar-
ried in 1840 to Maria Agard, daughter of Joshua Agard, of
Concord. They have a family of four sons and one daughter,
as follows; Lauren J., born in 1842, married Mary Anthony;
was for ten years a railroad conductor in Pennsylvania ; now
extensively engaged in business at Keokuk, Iowa. Emery A.,
born in 1844, married P'rank Warrington; Walter, born 1846,
married Sarah Hlakeley ; Lucy, born in 1854, and John, born
1856, married Anna Williams.
Reuben Drake was born in 1776. He was married to Nabb}-
Coole}-, in Vermont, where he was for several years a Captain
in the Vermont state militia. He removed from Connecticut
to Jefferson county, N. Y., and from there to the north part of
Concord, in 1834, where he lived until his death, in 1865. He
344 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
had a family of three sons and four daughters, as follows : Cy-
rena, Julia, Reuben Cooley, Jennet, Leonard, Orimul and
Chloe, all born in Connecticut but the two last. Cyrena and
Orimul are dead.
Reuben Coole}' Drake was born in the parish of W'inton-
bury, near Hartford, Conn., Oct. lo, 1814. When fifteen years
of age he removed with his father's famil)- to Jefferson county,
N. Y., and to Concord in the Spring of 1834. In 1838 he
bought wild lands of the Holland Company, on lot five, town-
ship seven, range seven, which be cleared up, improved and
built upon and where he now resides.
He was married in 1850, to Mary Wood, daughter of Robert
Wood (a native of W^eschester county, N. Y.), and grand-
daughter of Jesse How, a Corporal in the Revolution. They
have one son and one daughter, viz : Jay Drake, born June
30, 1854, is a teacher and devotes some attention to literary
work.
May Drake, born March 29, 1863, is a teacher.
COPY OF MILITARY COMMISSION,
Granted to Reuben Drake, by the Governor of Vermont.
By his Excellenc}', Isaac Tichenor, Esq., Captain-General, Gov-
ernor, and Commander-in-Chief in and over the State of
Vermont —
To Reuben Drake, Greeting.
You being elected Ensign of the first company of light infan-
tr)', in the second regiment, second brigade, and fourth division
of the militia of this state, and reposing special trust and con-
fidence in your patriotism, valor and good conduct, / do, b}'
\'irtue of these presents, in the name and by the authority of
the freemen of the State of Vermont, full}- authorize and em-
power you, the said Reuben Drake, to take charge of the said
company, as their Captain.
You will, therefore, carefulh" and diligentl)- discharge the
said dut}% by doing and performing ever}- matter and thing
thereunto relating. You will observe and follow such orders
and directions as you shall, from time to time, receive from the
Governor of the State, for the time being, or any other your
superior ofificer. according to military dicipline and the laws of
RIOCRArillCAI^ SKETCIIKS. 345
the state. And all officers and soldiers under your command
are to take notice hereof and yield due obedience to your
orders, as their Captain, in pursuance of the trust in you reposed.
/// Testimony Whereof, I ha\'e caused the Seal of this State
to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand in Council,
[l. s.| this fourteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and of the
Independence of the United States, the thirty first.
Isaac Tichenor.
By His Excellency's command,
William Page, Secretary.
Cliristoplior Douglass.
The subject of this sketch came to this town in 1809. He
settled on lot twenty-three, township six, range six, and lived
there about twenty years. He is said to have been the first man
that ever held the office of justice of tlie peace in this town. He
was the first captain of the Springville Rifle company, and was
also a side judge when "The Three Thayers " w^ere convicted
of the murder of John Love. He removed from this town to
Wisconsin about 1830. The last knowledge the author has of
his whereabouts he was running a hotel in Wisconsin, in
1856.
Beiijainiu Douglass.
Benjamin Douglass came to this town and bought hind of
the Holland Land company in 1809. He lived here two or three
years and then removed to Fredonia, Chautauqua count}-. His
son, Daniel W. Douglass, was a member of assembh- from
Chautauqua count)' in the \'eai" 1 85 I.
F. K. Davis.
Mr. Davis' father, Zimri Davis, came from N. H., about 181 5,
to where the city of Rochester now stands. At that time,
scarcely a vestige of the city existed. He helped to clear away
the oak trees standing where the Powers block now is. and
opened the first meat market. He died in Rochester in 1828.
The next year the mother, ^hose maiden name was Joanna
Johnson, with her five small boys, emigrated to Sardinia and
346 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
bought a small farm with slight improvements on the Cattarau-
gus creek.
By the exercise of rigid economy, industry and perseverance,
with the aid of her little boys, she cleared up and paid for her
land. Mr. Davis relates how his mother would stake out a
daily stint of chopping and clearing for each one, and would
frequently take her sewing work and sit among them to encour-
age them with their work. She died in Illinois, Sept. 19, 1875,
aged seventy-eight years; her sons' names were Jerome, David,
Kidder, Edwin and Clifton.
Francis Kidder Davis was born in Rochester, Oct. 22, 1822 ;
came to Erie county when seven years of age, and has been a
resident of the county most of the time since. His occupation
has been farming and hotel-keeping.
Mr. Davis attended school at the Springville Academy forty
years ago, in the old academy building, when students from a
distance occupied rooms on the lower floor and cooked their
own provisions, such as was not brought from home alread)'
cooked. In those days the principal, if unmarried, also lodged
and occupied rooms in the academy building. At that time,
money to pay tuition bills was not as easily obtained as now.
Mr. Davis speaks of cutting cordwood while attending school
from heaps of logs drawn up to the door, sled length, on what
is now Main street, to get money to pay his tuition.
Mr. Davis was master of the first boat that left Rochester for
a trip over the Genesee Valley canal. He was proprietor of
the Globe hotel at Yorkshire ten years, and is now proprietor
of the Forest house, a first-class hotel in Springville.
He was married Dec. 31, 1846, to Mary F. Goodspeed, who
was born March 5. 1830. They have six children, as fol-
lows :
Byron L., born March 21, 1849; married in 1866 to Dora
Bigelow.
Francis K., born Dec. 11, 1855, married in 1874 to Aggie
Wade.
p^Fred G., born June 30, 1858.
Willie H., born July 27, i860.
Nettie and Nellie (^twins), born Nov. 14, 1862.
BIOGRAI'HirAI. SKKTCHES. 34pr
H. J. Davis.
H.J. Davis was born in the Town of Concord, Feb. i8, 1838;
he has always resided in this town; he was married Aug. 13,'
1863. to Frances M.Wells; they have one child, Archie B.'
Davis, born July 24. 1867 ; the)' own and occupy a part of the
homestead of the late Archibald GrifTfith, situated at East Con-
cord, on lot 35, township seven, range six. Mr. Davis, in com-
pany with A. E. Hardley, during the year 1872, rented and run
the American hotel in Springville. They also started and run a
daily stage line between Springville and Holland, the then ter-
minus of the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad.
Mr. Davis is at present Deputy Sheriff of Erie count}-.
♦Taoob Drake.
Jacob Drake located on the middle part of lot 50. township
seven, range six, where D. S. Ingals now lives, as early as
1810 or ■ 1 1, and lived there over twenty years, when he and
his son. Freeman, went back east where they both died.
ffohii Drake.
John Drake, son of Jacob Drake, settled on the south part
of lot 50, known as the Tice place in 18 10, and died of a fever
in 1814; his widow married Daniel Tice. His children were :
Allen, who married May Wheeler, and died in this town.
Angeline, who married a Mr. Williams, of Chautauqua
county.
John, who went to Michigan and died there.
Sarah Ann, who went to Micjiigan and died there also.
Kli.jali Diiiiliain.
Elijah Dunham came about 181 i, and settled on lot 50, on
the place Zimri Ingals so long li\ed afterwards, he remained
there about fifteen years and then went west. Those of
the family still living, reside in the northern part of Illinois, I
believe. I think the first religious meeting that I ever attended
was held in Mr. Dunham's new frame barn, between fiftv and
sixty years ago. There were no meeting houses in those days
in town, and the school houses were so small that they would
348 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
not accommodate a large congregation. The barn is old now,
but it stands there yet.
Mr. Dunham's children were Edward, Elvira, Laura, Elmira,
Artemas and Alva.
Nicholas ^. I>einerly.
Nicholas R. Demerly, was born in the town of Collins, Erie
county, May I2th, 1853, and came to Concord to live in the
year 1856. His father's name was John Demerly, his mother's
maiden name was Louisa Root. Is a farmer by occupation ;
was married February 22, 1876, to Miss Mary Emerling. They
have no chidren of their own, but have adopted a boy, Frank
Demerly, who is eight years of age.
John Deiiiutli.
John Demuth was born in Eschette, Commune of Folschette,
Canton of Redingen, Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, July 14,
1843. Came to America in 1867, landing at New York, Decem-
ber 1st, of that year. He was married in 1879 ^^ Clara Selzer,
who was born in Baden, Germany, Aug, 11, 1855. They have
two children :
John, born Sept. 26, 1869.
Henry E., born Sept. 25, 1881.
Mr. Demuth is now a resident of Springville, where he is
emplo}'ed in a cabinet maker's shop.
Dr. Carlos Eniinoiis.
Dr. Emmons was born in Hartland, Windsor county, Ver-
mont, June 17th, 1799. He studied his profession in his native
State, and commenced practice in Washington county in this
State. In 1823 he came to this county and settled in Spring-
ville, and soon after married Harriet Eaton, daughter of Rufus
Eaton, Esq., one of the founders of the village anci for over
fifty years, and to the time of his death he continued to reside
in this village, and was one of its most respected, influential
and honored citizens. Over thirty-eight years of his life were
devoted faithfully and laboriously to the duties of his profes-
sion. His reputation as a physician was such that his practice
■extended over a circuit of from ten to fifteen miles around the
HIOCRAI'IIICAL SKETCHES. 349
village. No amount of labor, no scverit)- of weather, no sacri-
fice of bodily comfort i)re\-ented him from promptly answer-
ing the calls of professional dut)-. During the long time he
was in acti\e business no patient ever looked in vain for the
coming of Dr. Emmons, if previously promised.
By devoting mind and body to the welfare of his patients he
secured a competency, and the gratitude of those he attended
— of the fathers and mothers who lived and died — and their
children who represented them in the homes they had left.
In all matters of public improvement, educational, material
or moral, he was among the most active and influential, con-
tributing liberally of his means and laboring for the advance-
ment of all the interests of the village. The Academy found
in him one of its originators. During all the period of his
acti\'e life, he was foremost among those who sustained it
and labored for its success.
Dr. Emmons twice represented the town of Concord on the
board of Supervisors of Erie count}'. He was twice elected
member of the State Assembly from the south towns, and was
once elected State Senator from the eighth senatorial district
under the Constitution of 1822. He was also postmaster at
Springville for several years.
Dr. Emmons was twice married. By his first wife he had
three daughters who are residents of Nebraska. By his second
wife, who survives him, he had one daughter who is a resident
of Springville. All his daughters are married and have child-
ren. All his children and children's children were a blessing to
him in his declining years.
Dr. Emmons died at his home in Springville, Dec. 12, 1875,
aged seventy-six years, five months and twenty-five days.
Rufus £ntoii.
Rufus Eaton was born June 11, 1770. He came from Herk-
imer county, N. Y., to what is now Springville in 18 10, and
bought of Christopher Stone the south part of lot three. He
built the first saw mill in town and started other industries.
He gave the land for educational purposes where the Academy
now stands, and was one of the first Justices of the Peace. He
350 iilOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
was married in 1791 to Sally Potter, who died Nov. 15, 1843,
aged seventy-six years, Mr. Eaton died Feb. 7, 1845.
They had eight children :
Sylvester married Lydia Gardner; died, June 4, 1863.
Waitee married Frederick Richmond.
Sally married first a Mr. Eddy, second, VVillard Cornwell.
Rufus C. married Eliza Butterworth.
Mahala married Otis Butterworth.
Elisha married Betsy Chafee ; died, Feb. 25, 1881, aged
eighty years.
Harriet married Dr. Carlos Emmons.
William died a young man.
Sylvester Eaton was born at Little Falls, N. Y., June 17,
1792. He had three children by his first wife, viz:
Peregrine, Judson G., now residing at Smithport, Pa., and
Mary L., who died young.
Mr. Eaton was married a second time to Nancy Wilkes, by
whom he had three daughters:
Waitee E. and Lucinda who are dead and Rosalie, who
married a Mr. Prime and resides at Osage, Iowa.
Peregrine G. Eaton was born July 28, 18 18. He has been
twice married; first to Alice S. Taylor, who ciied in 1849; a
second time to Phoebe ^^^ Starkweather. Mr. Eaton has an
only daughter, Cornelia L., b\' his first wife who married Ches-
ter Newman.
Henry Eaton.
Henry Eaton was born in Springville in the year 1844, and
was married to Hattie R. Mason, March i, 1882. His father's
name was Rufus Eaton ; his mother's maiden name was Eliza
H. Butterworth ; his grandfather's name was Rufus Eaton ; his
grandmother's maiden name was Sally Potter.
The Western New York Preserving and Manufacturing Com-
pany, limited, was organized in 1879, under the laws of the
State of New York, of which he was Secretary for the first
three years and in 1 881 was President. ]-5usiness was successful ;
amount paid farmers for products during the year of 1881 was
$36,504.09; amount paid for labor in 1881 was $21,675.10.
Mr. Eaton is also proprietor of a barrel factory in Springville.
lUOCRAI'HICAL SKKTCHKS. 351
Rufiis C. Eaton died Ali<^. 15, 1876, aged eighty years.
Mrs. Eliza H. Eaton, the mother, died Aug. i, iS.So, aged
eight)-one years, six months and twenty-one days.
Samuel Eaton.
Samuel Eaton was a ver)' earl\' settler in this town. He set-
tled on the north side of the Genesee road on the toj) of the
hill \\'est of Woodward's Hollow. Here he cleared up a farm
and lived in the neighborhood until his death which occurred
about 1838. He was one of the earliest school teachers in this
town.
He had four children :
Fidelia married Stephen Conger and lives in North Collins.
Samuel W., lives in Rochester, Minn., and has been Judge
of the Probate Court in that county.
Dewitt died when a young man, and Horace, whose where-
abouts are unknown.
Williaiu L. Emerson.
William L. Emerson was born Feb. 16, 1809. His father,
William Emerson, was born in New Ipswich, Hillsborough
count}', N. H. He served as a soldier at Plattsburg in the war
of 1812 and '15. His mother, Lydia Pratt, was born in New
Hampshire. His grandfather's name was James Emerson. He
came from England and served as a soldier in the Revolution-
ary war. His grandmother's maiden name was Lydia Walker,
born in New Hampshire. William L. Emerson was married to
Maria Chase Feb. 17, 1835. She was born in Dummerston,
Vt., July 12, 1809. Her father's name was James A. Chase;
he was born in Guilford, Vt., June 11, 1786. Her grandfather,
James Chase, was born in Warren, R. I., Nov. 10, I75i» and
served as a soldier in the Revolution. William L. Emerson
came from Vermont to Ashford, Cattaraugus county, in 1842,
and bought of Jeremiah Wilcox, a farm adjoining the Sher-
man place. In 1850, he bought the Searls place or David
Goodemote place in the north part of Ashford near the Cat-
taraugus creek. In 1868, he sold out in Ashford and removed
to Concord. He has always been a farmer and has followed
the business successfully. Mrs. Emerson died July 18, 1879.
Their children are :
352 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
William F., born April 14, 1836; married July 4, 1856,
Maryette Wiley ; second wife, Sarah Crawford ; lives in Ash-
ford and is a farmer.
Edward, born Aug. 3, 183 1 ; married Ellen M. Carman. Aug.
27, 1871 ; lives in Sardinia and is a farmer.
Hiram, born May 22, 1840; married Louisa M. Re}-nolds,
Sept. 21, 1864; second wife. Laura Wells; third wife, Alice D.
Marsh ; lives in Concord and is a farmer.
Mary E., born April 14, 1842, lives in Springville.
Sylvia A., born Sept. 15, 1845 ; married Levi M. Bond, Sept.
17, 1863 ; lives in Porterville, Cal.
Clara J., born March 24, 1841 ; married Origen A. Wilcox,
Aug. 23, i860; lives in Porterville, Cal.
Arnold J., born Feb. 4, 185 1 ; married Julia P. Carman. June
10, 1879 ' lives in Sardinia and is a hardware merchant.
Amos P. Ellis.
Mr. Ellis was born in Tioga county, N. Y., in August, 1814.
In 1835 he came from his native place to Gowanda and worked
one year at his trade (carpenter and joiner). He then came to
Concord, where he has since resided. For the last twenty-five
years his occupation has been farming. He was married in
1837 to Betsey Curran, who was born Nov. 4, 1 808.
They have had five children :
Louisa, born Feb. 5, 1839; married George Priel in 1867.
Elizabeth, born June 30, 1840; died Jan. 13, 1858.
Eugene P., born April 2, 1842; married Lizzie Bassett in
1864; was killed April 2, 1881, in a railroad tunnel at St. Louis.
Edwin (twin), born April 15, i844,married Irene Wheelock in
1865.
Edward (twin), born April 15, 1844.
Augustus G. Elliott.
Augustus G. Elliott was an early settler, and had a store on
the Weismantel lot near the race ; he also at one time managed
a distillery and ashery ; the ashery stood on the north side of
Franklin street, on Stephen Smith's lot, and the distillery stood
on the opposite side of the street ; he also bought cattle and
drove them to the eastern markets; he took an active part also
hkh;raphkai. skhtciiks. 353
ill l)uil(linL;" the SpriiiL;\illc Academy. He was born in Kent,
Conn., Oct. 20, I77<S, and died Au^-. 26, 1834, at^ed fift)--six
years.
Cliarh's Kiiierliiijjj.
Charles luiierling was born July 31, I(S46. in the town of
Eden, Erie county. N. Y.; came to Concord in the v'ear 1(858.
His father's name was Philip Emerling ; his mother's maiden
name was Marian Lamm; he was married May 15, 1877. to
Mary Ann Belcher ; he owns the farm of 220 acres where he
lives. He has two daughters :
Caroline, born Feb. 14, 1879.
Sarah, born July 2/, 1881.
Jesse Frye.
Eben Frye, the father of the subject of this sketch, was of
Welsh ancestry, his father coming here at an early da}', and
settled in what was then known as the Province of Maine.
Eben P'rye took an active jiart in the struggle for American
independence from the beginning to the close, serving as a
Captain, and was also promoted to the rank of a Major. After
peace was declared he also represented the Province of Maine
in the legislature when it was a dependency of Massachusetts.
Jesse P"rye, the subject of this sketch, was born at Fryeburg,
Maine, in the year 1772. Some time in the year 17S0 his
father moved to Andover, N. H., where he died four years
after. Jesse, then twelve years old, was ajiprcnticed to a
clothier and learned this trade, but he did not follow the call-
ing long. In 1794 he moved with his mother's family from
Andover to Bath, in the same State, and engaged in the manu-
facture of brick with a man b}- the name of Haddock. In 1797
he was married to Betsey Noyes. Six children were born to
this union, viz.:
Enoch Noyes, born March 30, 1800.
James Sanders, born June 10, 1802.
Moses McKinster, born Sept. 26, 1804.
Betsey, born Jan. 4, 1807.
Sarah, born December, 1809.
Jesse, born Feb. 18, 18 18.
354 bioc;raphical skp:tches.
Of these children three are Hving, Enoch, Moses and Jesse.
Here he remained in business with Haddock until the year
1810, when he was compelled to sacrifice his business to satisfy
an obligation incurred by lending his name to a friend. This
left him but a meagre sum to start out again in life, but he was
young and full of energy. The Holland Purchase was attract-
ing much attention, and flattering intlucements were offered to
settlers. He purchased a span of horses and fitted up a lum-
ber wagon ; into this he placed his famih', consisting of a wife
and fi\'e children, and all the worldl}- goods he possessed, and
set out for the new Mecca, where he arrived some time in the
Fall of 1810. Buffalo was his first stopping place. Here he
began business as a green-grocer, occup}'ing a lot and house
rieht where Pratt & Letchworth's immense retail trade in the
hardware business on the terrace is carried on to-day. He
owned a sail-boat and the most of his stock in trade was pro-
cured in Canada, and much of his profit came from the Indians,
who were at that time largely in the ascendant. Here he
remained until the Spring of 18 12, although he had traded his
house and lot the Fall previous to John Pollc\- for an articled
claim of lots thirty and thirty-one, in Zoar. In July, the same
year, he moved his family to Zoar, having pre\'iously built a log
house for their reception. Here he remained some four}'ears,
when this claim was traded off to Luther Pratt for a similar
one on " Poverty Hill," in the Town of Collins. The soil did
not suit him, and this claim was sold to Phineas Orr, and he
made another and his last claim, that of P"rye Hill.
In August, 1 8 16, Enoch and Mack, then boys of twelve and
sixteen, began chopping just north of the great orchard; some
four acres were cleared and got into winter wheat that Fall ;
the )-ield was abundant, and ever since that time until the pres-
ent Frye Hill has dispensed that old-fashioned, open-hearted
hospitality that was proverbial among the early pioneers. They
lived to a ripe age, the wife dying Feb. 4, 1848, aged seventy-
six years, one month and twenty-one days; he surviving her
but a few months, and followed her March 27, 1849, aged
seventy-five years, four months and twelve days. They lie
buried side by side in the family burying-ground on PVye Hill.
Enoch N. P'rN'e, now over eight)'-three years old and still
BKxjRAi'incAi, sKi-:r( MEs. 355
hale and hearty, occupies the old homestead, with some six
or seven hundred acres besides. He was married in i<S2i to
Margaret Wells ; she died Dec. 12, 1882. Ten children were
born to them, viz.:
James, born Dec. 17, 1822.
Ebenezer, born Nov. 27, 1824.
Louisa, born in 1826.
Abbott, born in 1828.
Jesse, born Aug. 20, 1830.
William, born, June 18, 1832.
Mar\' and Betse\-, born May 26, 1834.
John H., born Dec. 13, 1837.
Helen S., born Jul\-4, 1840.
Three of these children are dead : Betsey died Feb. 26,
1847; Abbott died Oct. 27, 1853, and Ebenezer Sept. 21. 1857.
Louisa married L. J. Vaughn, and now lives in Ashford.
Jesse married Miss Maria Davidson. William married Miss
Josephine L. Burgess ; she dying in 1870, in 1874 he was married
to Mrs. Amy C. Titus. Mary married John Murdock. John
married Miss Helen Fowler, and Helen, Daniel D. Nash.
E. N. Frye is a man of sterling character, and in his younger
days he took an active part in all that tended to advance the
.prosperity of the new settlement. At the age of sixteen years
he began teaching, which he followed more or less until other
cares absorbeci his attention. He also occupied the office of
Supervisor, and Assessor of the town for a term of years.
It is nearh' or quite sixt\'-seven years ago since he began
with an axe to let the sun-light fall upon that soil which has
ever since been his home. Hopefully toiling on, at first upon
the articled claim obtained in boyhood years, until he had
touched the meridian and found himself the possessor of many
broad acres, but still onward and upward, and now his years
are verging upon four-score and ten. and \'et each of these
many active, useful years have w itnessed some improvement in
his surroundings.
F<»s<lH'k Family.
Stephen Fosdick, the great progenitor of the family, was first
known in Charlestown, Conn., in 1635. His name appears on
356 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
church records as one of the first to organize Harvard church.
He was one of forty to found New London, was proprietor of
Fosdick's Neck and Inlet, and participated in the sale of Bos-
ton Commons, with other privileges granted at that age to
noted men. History also says he was expelled from the church
and fined i,"20 for reading Ana-Baptist papers ; was afterwards
restored to the church by paying the fine.
Solomon Fosdick, a descendant of Stephen, was born in the
town of Oyster Bay, Queens county, L. L, April 8, 1776; was
married to Anna Thorn, a member of the Society of Friends,
at Coeyman's landing; after that resided at Rockaway, L. I.,
\\here three of their children, viz., Samuel, Angeline and Pru-
dence, were born. He then removed to Amsterdam, where
two children, Alice and Elizabeth, were born. He then
removed to Rensselaerville, Albany county, where three chil-
dren, Mary T., John S. and Jesse T. were born. Morris was
born at Oyster Bay, L. 1. In November, 18 19, Mr. Fosdick
removed with his family to Boston, Erie county, renting and
living on a place owned by Aaron Adams, after by purchase, a
place on West hill, and in I^22 the place lately owned by Am-
brose Torr}', adjoining the town line of Boston, in the town of
Concord, where he lived until his death, Feb. 11, 1838. His
wife, Anna Fosdick, died in Springville, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1858 ;
both were buried at Boston, where a suitable monument was
erected by their son Morris to their memory.
Of their children. Prudence married Joseph Alger; she died
in Boston in 1848; her children, Rollin Alger, Mrs. Mortimer
Adams, Mrs. A. Oatman and Mrs. Miranda Steele, still reside in
Boston, where they were born.
Samuel Fosdick died in 11^64, and was buried in Youngstown,
N. Y.; his son Hiram resides in Salamanca and is cashier of the
Salamanca National bank ; his daughter, Mrs. Sarah A. Ells-
worth, resides in Buffalo, and his daughter by a second mar-;
riage. Miss Dora Fosdick, resides \\ith her uncle, John S. Fos-
dick, at Westfield, N. Y.
Morris Fosdick died in Springxille in 1^72.
Angeline married Nicholas Bonsteel and li\ed and died at
■Great Valley, N. Y., leaving four children.
HIOGRArilK'AL SKKTCIIES. 357
One of them, Dr. A. S. Honsteel, of Cony, Pa., is w ell known
as a physician and surgeon.
Alice married Stillman Andrews, and li\'es in Jamestown.
Ehzabe'h married Camden Lake and lived and died in
Springville, N. Y., leaving one daughter, Mrs. Laurette Tabor,
who still resides there.
Mar\- T. married James Getty, and resides in East Ham-
burg, X. V.
John S. Fosdick was a teacher for forty-five )'ears, is now a
farmer and resides at Westfield, Chautauqua county, N. \'.; he
was at one time Superintendent of Education in Ikiffalo, and
for a number of years was Principal of Westfield academy.
Jesse T. Fosdick, the youngest, now sixt\--four years old,
resides at Salamanca, N. Y. He has been in the New York,
Pennsylvania and Ohio railway compan}''s employ (formerly
known as the Atlantic and Great Western Railway) for twent}'-
one years, and has been successful as a railroad man. He has
acquired the knowledge of controlling a large force of men, is
conceded honest and upright. Jesse T. Fosdick, in speaking
of his childhood, always brings to mind the fact that Louise
Carr (afterwards Louise Alger) taught him his letters, and he
has through Hfe cherished a friendly feeling, second only to
that of his mother, towards his early teacher. At their last
meeting, a few years since, they both showed this attachment,
and when Jesse became a lad again, and she almost fancied
herself again his teacher, it was with the utmost difficulty that
the pent up feelings of half a century were restrained.
Morris Fosdick, Esq.
Morris P'osdick, son of Solomon and Anna (Thorne) Fosdick,
was born Dec. 9, 1804, in the town of Oyster Bay, Queens
county, N. Y.; learned the trade of shoemaker, tanner and cur-
rier of Hatch & Alger, in the town of Boston ; afterwards
worked as a journeyman for Mr. Hoyt, of Buffalo, and Hall
Brothers (father and uncle of Judge Hall), of Wales ; later
entered into partnership with Griffin Swain, of Otto, Cattarau-
gus county ; the\- carried on the business to which he was edu-
cated several j^ears, sold out his in interest the tannery, and
became a student at Springville Academy under Professor Par-
358
BIOGRAPHICAL skp:tchf:s.
sons, teaching school several Winters of his student life ; entered
the law ofifice of Elisha Mack ; admitted an attorney in the
Supreme Court of New York July 13, 1838; commissioned by
Gov. William L. Marcy Adjutant of the Two Hundred and Forty-
eighth regiment of Infantry Nov. 9, 1838 ; admitted to practice
in both the District and Circuit Courts of the United States Oct.
II, 1842; appointed Judge-Advocate with the rank of Colonel
in the Twenty-sixth Division of New York State Infantry Feb.
28, 1843; admitted counsellor in the Supreme Court of New
York July 14, 1843 ; admitted as solicitor and counselor in the
Court of Chancery of New York, July 19, 1843; became a law
MORRIS FOSDICK, ESQ.
partner with Wales Emmons for a time, and continued to prac-
tice his profession in Springville up to the time of his death,
which occurred Feb. 3, 1872, aged sixty-seven years.
Although a Democrat and living in a town o\-er\\helmingly
opposed to him politically, he, on several occasions, was elected
to offices of trust and honor. Elected Justice of the Peace,
and in 1857, elected Super\-isor and served as Chairman of the
Board. Served one term as justice of the Sessions.
With peculiarities and eccentricities, which oftentimes proved
almost offensive, he, nevertheless, by reason of regard for truth
li
RIOf;RAPIII(AI. SKKTCIIKS. 359
and his strict intci;rit\', hardl)' ever failed in retainin<^ the re-
spect and confidence of those with whom he had business
relations.
In all official positions he was strictly and tenaciously obser-
vant of his own duties, and was equall)' tenacious in requirin<^
from others a due and proper obserx^ance of relations and duties
toward himself. His fidelity to official trusts was proverbial,
but was not less so than was his faithfulness to priwate interests,
entrusted to his care.
A bachelor throuf;h life he was most eminenth' endowed with
the most peculiar characteristics of that honorable fraternit)-.
A good counsellor, an honest man.
Beii.jaiiiiii Fryo.
Benjamin Fa\' was born in Athol, Worcester county, Ma.ss.,
Sept 14, 1783. He came here in the Fall of 181 1, to "see the
country," and settled here in 181 2. His brother, Josiah. had
been here before he came and selected land, and went back to
Massachusetts and nev^er returned. Mr. Fay settled on Town-
send Hill, on lot 59, township se\en, range six, and li\ed
there till the time of his death, when he owned the whole
quarter section. When, in his prime, he was an energetic and
successful farmer ; he served as a soldier on the Niagara frontier
in the war of i8i2-'i5; he was in several skirmishes and
engagements on each side of the river, on one occasion a can-
non ball killed his right hand man. On another occasion at
Fort Erie, where he and Isaac Knox, of this town, were not far
apart, a cannon ball passed between them and whirled them
both around ; he was at the burning of Buffalo, and was com-
pelled to flee with the others. After the close of the war he
held several high offices in the militia, was elected Colonel, but
did not ser\e. He also held several town offices, such as
School Inspector, Assessor, Commissioner and Justice of the
Peace. In early days he was one of the leading men of the
town. June lo, 1819, he was married to Polly Bowler, who
was born in Guilford, Vt. Mr. Fay died in this town Sept. 17.
1863, aged eighty years. Mrs. F'ay died in this town Jan. 2,
1870, aged seventy-one years. There children were:
Benjamin Albert, born 1820, died in 1822.
360 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Amos F., born Jan 2, 1822, resides in Indianapolis, Ind.
B. A., born Sept. 29, 1823, resides in Springville.
Charles, born April 12, 1826, died Feb. 6, 1863, in this town.
Ward, born July 28, 1829, is in California.
Polly D , born Aug. 3, 1836, died June, 1837.
Neheniiah Frye.
Nehemiah Fay settled on Townsend Hill in 1816, where he
lived about twenty-five years, and then removed to Little Val-
ley, Cattaraugus county, where he and his wife both died, hav-
ing lived to a good old age. Their children were :
Nabby, who married Obadiah Russell, and moved to Little
Valley, where they both died.
Fannie married Asahel Field, and lives in Little Valle}'.
James lives in Cattaraugus county.
Alcander lives in Great Valley, Cattaraugus count}\
Solomon Field.
Solomon Field was born in Uurfield, Mass., on the Connecti-
cut river, and came from there to Madison count}'. N. Y.,
where he remained a few years. He took up lot three, town-
ship seven, range seven, in 1809, and located there in the Fall
of 1 8 10, where he resided until the time of his death. His
children were :
Ruth married Royal Twichell, and died several years ago.
Asahel married Fanny Fay, and died in Little Valle\', Cat-
taraugus county.
William married Mary E. Briggs, and died in this town in
1870.
Huldah married Isbon Treat, and died in Colden.
Porter married in this town and removed East.
James Flemmings.
James Flemmings was born in Massachusetts in 1786, and his
wife, Sally Loomis Flemmings, was born there in 1789. They
came to this country and settled first in Boston, in 181S, and
afterward came to Concord in 1822. Mr. Flemmings was a
farmer and carpenter and joiner, and built houses and barns,
many of which are still standing. He lived for a while on the
lUoCRAIMIICAI. SKK'ICIIKS. 361
Genesee road, \vi;st of Townsend Hill, and afteward bought a
farm on the south part of lot fifty-one, townsjiip seven, range
six. His house stood near the foot of the hill which was for a
long time called h'lemmings Hill. The old house still stands.
After a while he sold his farm and removed to Springville,
where he was engaged in trade for some time, and then removed,
to Ashford, Cattaraugus county, where he died Dec. 19, 1866,
aged seventy-nine yeans and eight months ; his wife died March
14, 1854, aged sixty-five years.
Their children were:
Jane, James, Hannah, Sally, Joseph, Parker and Margaret.
Jane married E. T. Briggs ; after his death she married Will-
iam Field, who is also dead. She is living in Springville.
James married Nancy Norcott and died in Springville, Sept.
6. 1867, aged fifty-four years and eight months.
Hannah married Samuel Wheeler and died Sept. 24, 1841,
aged twenty-five )'ears.
Sally married first, Adoniram Blake; second, Elam Chandler
and died Feb. 25, 1880.
Joseph li\'es in Springville.
Parker married Susan Babbett and died in Ashford in 1873,
aged forty-seven.
Margaret married Horace B. Harrington and died in Ellicott-
ville in 186 1, aged 31 years.
.Tosepli B. Floiiiiiiiiigs.
Mr. Flemmings was born in Concord on Towsend Hill, March
1 1, 1822. He was a son of James Flemmings, one of the early
pioneers of the town. His mother's maiden name was Sally
Loomis. He attended school at the Springville Academy dur-
ing the year 1840. He was married in 1842 to Harriet Bisby.
They have one daughter, Mrs. Calvin C. Smith, born Aug. 4,
1844, and one son Ernest, born Feb. 27, 1856. Mr. Plem-
mings has resided principally at Springville and Salamanca.
His occupation is that of architect and builder, in which he is
ver\- skilled and proficient. Man}- of the finest residences and
structures in Cattaraugus county and Springville are of his
planning and building. Of those of which he was either the
architect or builder or both, ma}' be mentioned the Leland
362 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
House and the residence of J. P. Meyers, in Springville ; the
residences of Hon. Commodore Vedder, EHicottville, and Syd-
ney N. Delap, Mansfield, and the large lumber mill of James
Fitts at Salamanca.
Abraiii Fisher.
Abram Fisher came from V'ermont to this town (Concord) in
1829, and bought of Peter Tice, brother of Daniel Tice, fifty
acres of land on the south part of lot fifty, township seven,
range six. About 1836, he moved from this town to Boston,
and from there he moved to the West Branch in the town of
North Collins, from there he moved to Pennsylvania, where he
died in i860. He was a farmer.
His children were :
Acsah, who died about 1850 in Vermont.
William, the stage driver and violinist, w ho died in Pennsyl-
vania about 1875.
Richmond died in North Collins about 1840.
Sarah Ann died in Buffalo about 1865.
Nelson died in North Collins about 1840.
Perry died in North Collins about 1840.
Roswell lives in Pennsylvania.
Erasmus lives in Springville. He was born in Concord, the
other children were born in Vermont.
Philip Forriii.
Mr. P"errin's father, Ebenezer Ferrin, came from Hebron,
Grafton county, N. H., to Concord ( Horton Hill), in the Fall of
181 5, with his family. The next Spring he located land in
Concord, where the Warner place now is, lot fift\'-two, range
six, township seven, where he lix'ed until his death, March 9,
1852. He was born in Hebron, N. H., Sept. 4, 1777, where he
was married Nov. 26, 1801, to Lydia Phelps, who was born
March 9, 1782. She died about 1855.
Fourteen children were born to them, all but one li\"ing to
mature years as follows :
Francis, born May 16, 1803; resides in Minnesota.
Samuel, born Nov. 12, 1804; resides in Utah.
Jesse, born Ma}- I, 1806; resides in Allegan}' county, N. Y.
MIoCkAI'lIICAI, SKKICUKS. 363
Mary, born Aul;". i, uSoj; resides in Iowa.
Alice, born March 1<S, i<So<S ; died about i^S^q.
Unice, born Aug. 9, i.Sio; died about 1857.
Harvc}', born Aui;-. iS, i.Sii ; died Ma}- lO, 1840.
Lydia, born Jul\' 19, 1813 ; died about 1863.
Philip, born June 29. 181 5; resides in Sprin<^ville, N. Y.
Nathan, born Ju!_\- 12, 1818; resides in Indiana.
Adna P., born Jul\- 12. 1820. died about 1858.
Achsa, born Feb. i, 1822: died April 5, 1822.
Luc}". born l^\'b. 16, 1823 ; died March 7, 1849.
Lodica M., born jul\' ij , 1825 ; resides in Allegan}' county
N.V.
Mr. Philip hV'rrin has al\\a}'s been a resident of Concord, and
a successful and \er\- industrious farmer. He was married
Feb. II, 1841, to Kmeline Stanbro.
Ten children haxe been born to them, \i/,. :
Charles A., born March 21, 1842; married P^lizabeth Reed.
Andre\\- Clark, born Nov. 13, 1843; married. I 1st), Georgie
Long, (2d). Josephine Long.
Ann, born Dec. i i. 1845 ; died Jan. 30, 1846.
Ward, born Dec. 21. 1847; niarried. (ist). Lmeline Reed,
■(2d), Mrs. Amelia Horton.
Alice L., born Ma}- 19, 1849; ^""^^ Sept. 28. 1850.
Ella L.. born Aug. 28, 1852 ; married Clark Churchill.
Horace Lee, born Aug. 21, 1854; married Kate Hurd.
Nelson A., born Jvd}- 2^^, 1857; married Ella Long-.
Carrie E., born June 20, 1859; died, 1863.
Herbert \V., born June 29, 1862 ; married kla J^lackmar.
.loliii Fe<l<li<*k.
John h'eddick was born in 1837, in Paris, P" ranee, and is a
farmer. His wife's maiden name was Margaret Her}-, born
also in Paris. Came to Buffalo in 1852; was married in 1858.
His father, Nicholas Feddick, settled in the town of Collins,
on a farm and lived there until the time of his death, in 1879.
His family consisted of t\\el\e children, si.\ (^f whom died at
an early age and a daughter died in 1878; five are now living.
John Feddick sa}-s : " My two surviving brothers live in the
town of Collins. One of \\\\ sisters li\es in the town of Flden
364 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and the other in Sauk count\% Wisconsin. I left Collins in
1859, ^^'ent to Iowa, from Iowa to Missouri, from Missouri to
Kansas, from Kansas to Omaha, Nebraska, thence back to
Davenport, Iowa. I enlisted in the 2d Iowa Ca\alr}-, Company
' E,' Captain Kendrick, attached to Colonel Elliott's Regiment.
Continued in the service from 1862 to the close of the war.
Was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Juka, Port Hudson and
others of lesser note, including the Siege of Vicksburg. Was
discharged at Eastport, Mississippi ; returned to Gowanda, and
soon after came and settled in Concord." His children are :
George, born Dec. 10, 1859.
Nettie, born Nov. 19, 1861.
Mary, born Oct. 19, 1862; died April 24, 1876.
Emma, born Jan. 10, 1866.
John, born Aug. 2, 1868.
Peter, born July 5, 1870.
Victor, born June 16, 1873.
Helen, born June 21, 1878.
Lettie, born Jan. 8, 1881.
The Foote Family.
Ransford T. F"oote was born in Litchfield count}', Connecti-
cut, Jan. 6, 1806. Susan Foote, his wife, was born in the same
count}-, Dec. 2, 1805. They came to Otto, Cattaraugus county,
in 1826, and to Concord in 1838. In his younger days Mr.
Foote worked at shoe making as well as farming. He now
owns, occupies and conducts a large dair}--farm in the north-
east part of Concord.
They have one son, Harr}- Foote, who was born in Cattar-
augus county, March 22, 1832. He was married Feb. 11, 1864,
to Jane Rollo Calkins, who was born Aug. 23. 1838. They
have no children. He resides near his father. They are indus-
trious and prosperous farmers and are highh- esteemed in the
communit}'.
Mrs. R. T. Foote's father's name was Wheeler Atwood and
her mother's maiden name was Susannah Stoddard. I learn
from the history or her nati\e town in Connecticut, that her
ancestors on both sides, were among the earliest settlers in
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Some of them cominu" over
BIOCIRAI'inCAL SKETCHES. 365
as early as 1639 ; and I also learn from the same book that
they were among the first families in the communities in which
they lived. Several of them were graduates of Harvard Col-
lege and some of them were ciergN'nicn, and some were doctors.
STATEMENT OF MRS. HANSFORD T. FOOTE.
We came to Otto, Cattaraugus count}-, from Connecticut, in
November, 1826. It took us four days to go from Buffalo to
Otto. Mr. F'oote went to Otto because he had relatives there.
The first winter we lived in a log-house with another family,
named Buttcrfield. The house was eighteen by twent)- feet.
The floor was split out of bass-wood logs, and there was but
one six-lighted window. The sash were small slats nailed
together and paper was pasted over the sash and then greased
and used as a substitute for glass ; and in the center there was
a small piece of glass, as large as the palm of your hand, fitted
so that we could look out. The chimney had a stone back
up a few feet but no jambs ; the top was finished out with
sticks. Some time during the first winter, about ten o'clock
one night I was up and at work hetcheling flax, all the others
in the house having gone to bed, when I heard my geese
squall fearfully outside, near the house. I went out and saw a
long, low animal near the geese. I tried to scare him awa}-but
he stood there some time, and when he turned up his head to
look at me, his eyes shown like two balls of fire ; he finall\- went
away. I told Mr. Butterfield what I had seen and he went the
next morning and examined the tracks and said it was a cata-
mount. The wolves then were \ery numerous. I ha\'e often
listened to their bowlings in the night and the}- \-er}- often
killed sheep in the neighborhood and in difl"erent parts of the
town, and the inhabitants generally turned out at different
times to hunt and destro}- or dri\'e them out of town.
Deer were very thick then. I have frequently seen them in
the fields and near the house. One morning I looked out and
saw five fine looking deer feeding beside the garden fence.
The second year after we came to Otto, we had managed to
get two cows, and I made butter and had saved up a consider-
able quantit}-. I wanted some groceries and Mr. Foote took
his oxen and carried me and several of the neighboring women
366 bioc;raphicai. sketches.
to Lodi, ten miles, to trade. We started before daylight and
forded the Cattaraugus, and when we arrived at Mr. Plumb's
store he asked us what \\e wanted to get for our butter. I told
him I would like to get some groceries ; he said he could not
sell groceries for butter, but would let me ha\'c shelf goods;
hs said he was then paying six cents for butter (just previous
he had paid but five cents). So I had to sell my butter for
shelf goods and go home without an}' groceries. Since that
time we have sold butter for fifty cents per pound cash, and
have kept and milked between thirty-fixe and fort)' cows at a
time.
The second year after we came to Otto our tax was one dol-
lar and fifty cents, and when Mr. Allen, the collector, came for
it Mr. Foote told him he had no money and he knew of no
way that he could get any. Mr. Allen said to him that he had
some money that he had received from the town, and that he
would pay the tax, and Mr. Foote, who was a shoemaker,
might come over to his house and make up some shoes for
his family, which he did. One year in the time of the Rebel-
lion, Mr. Foote paid as much as $140 tax, and he said he
could pay that tax easier than he could raise that one dollar
and fifty cents in money at that time.
W. Wallace Fieiioli.
W. \\\ P^rench was born in the year 1828, in the Town of
Bennington, Vt.; came to Concord in 1831 ; is railroad agent;
was married to Celestia Pratt, who was born in Willink, Erie
county, N. Y., September, 1837. ^^'^ father's name was Rus-
sell French ; his mother's maiden name was Julia Catlin ; both
living at Waverly, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. His grand-
father's name was William French : his grandmother's maiden
name was Lydia Esterbrook : both buried in Springville ceme-
tery: grandfather died Jan. 27, 1840, aged sixty-one years;
grandmother died May 21, 1849, '^ged sevent}' )'ears.
They had one daughter, Nettie D. P'rench, born at Buffalo.
N. Y., Oct. 26, 1862 ; died at Springville, June 13, 1881.
Frecleriok Fox.
P'rederick P\)x was born in 1833, ''"' P^rlah-Baden. German)',
and worked at farming until he came to this count)'. He
luocRAi'iiicAL SKi:r(M[i:s. 367-
started to come here Nov. 7, i860; his brother Leo and sister
Mary M.came with him. Tiiey embarked at tlie Cit)-of Havre,
in France, and were ft)rt)' da)'s on the ocean to New York.
They came from New York to Huffalo. and from Buffalo to
his brother Christian's, in Ashford. He worked for him one
year and for George Hughey three years. He was married
June 1, 1865. to Mary M. Utrich, of Ashford (her native place
was North Collins). They moved to Springville and com-
menced keeping hotel in 1865. The\' have since re-built and
enlarged the hotel, and continued to keep the same until 1883,
when he sold out to Theodore Frew.
Their children are : Frank G., Mary L., CTara L.. antl Fred-
erick William.
("asiKT Faurliiij'".
Casper Faulring was born May 27, 1839. in the State of Sax-
ony,'Germain' : is a farmer b}' occupation ; was married March
I, 1868, to Barbara Foster; his father's name was Frederick
Faulring; his mother's maiden name was Margaret Taff ; his
fatlier's famih' came all together frcMii Germany in 1854;.
shipped on a sail vessel at Hamburg, Germany, for New York,
and landed in New York Jan. 9, 1854; they were sixty-four
days in making the passage; it was a long, cold and rough time.
They settled on the farm where he now lives.
They have seven children :
John, born Dec. 9, 1868.
Frederick, born April 9. 1869.
Mary, born Jan. 1, 1871.
Ferdinand, born Sept. 4, 1873.
Chris, born March 6, 1876.
Casper, born Jan. r, 1878.
Louisa, born May 7. 1881.
fianu's l>. Fiilh'r.
Mr. b\iller's father, John (i. Fuller, was born in Drx'den,
Madison count}-, N. Y., ^Liy 11, 1805; from there he went to
Penns\-lvania ; from Penusyhania he came to Ashford, N. Y.,
in 1825; he died in Sardinia Sept. 24, 1881. He was married
to Florilla Studley.
368 BIOORAPHICAL SKETCHES.
James D. Fuller was born in Ashford, Cattaraugus county,
N. Y., Feb. 28, 1845 ; about 1850 his father's family moved to
Sardinia. In 1868 Mr. Fuller moved to Concord, where he has
since resided; his occupation is farming. Mr. F. enlisted Aug.
9, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Sixteenth regiment,
New York State volunteers, and participated i 
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